Seven "game-changers" could help Bradford become Core City

This week will see the launch of a new growth plan for the Bradford district, which will help shape regeneration over the next decade.

A major part of the plan, which is titled Built Different, is to push for Bradford to become a “Core City,” and it says schemes like the West Yorkshire Mass Transit System and City Village will help achieve this aim.

There are currently eight core cities in the UK - Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield.

The aim is for Bradford to become the ninth, and the new plan, which launches at an event on Thursday evening, says there are seven “big gamechangers” that can help Bradford reach the same level as those cities.

What are the seven 'game-changing' developments?

• Southern Gateway, a 126-hectare site between Leeds Road and Manchester Road, that will deliver 2,500 new homes, business sites and “mixed-use neighbourhoods.”
• The proposed new Bradford city centre rail station, which the report says will support up to 27,000 jobs.

An artist's impression of the planned station and surrounding "Southern Gateway" (Image: Bradford Council)

• Mass Transit: a proposed tram line between Bradford and Leeds.

An artist's impression of the mass transit system (Image: WYCA)

• City Village: a development of up to 1,000 homes in Bradford city centre.

AN artist's impression of City Village (Image: Bradford Council)

• Towns Transformation Programme: investment and renewal across Keighley, Shipley, Ilkley and Bingley.
• Airedale Hospital Rebuild: a £1bn rebuild of the Steeton hospital.

Airedale Hospital

• HyBradford: developing clean energy capability, including a 24MW green hydrogen facility at Birkshall targeted for 2027.

Bradford faces 'significant challenges'

Referring to the issues that stand in the way of Bradford becoming a core city, the report says: “Bradford is a significant conurbation and is comparable to other core cities in terms of the size of its population.

“However, across other core indicators relevant to this theme (such as health, income, and education indicators), Bradford performs less well.

“Despite being a major population centre in the north of over half a million people, it faces significant challenges, particularly around its labour market structure and around measures of income and educational attainment.”

Bradford needs 'strong identity'

It points out that Bradford already has a higher population than four of these cities – Liverpool, Bristol, Nottingham and Newcastle.

A report into the plan went to Bradford Council’s Executive on Tuesday.

It read: “A key aim is for Bradford to be experienced as a modern, investable district with a strong identity and a compelling offer for residents, businesses and visitors.

“This includes reshaping the city and town centres, strengthening culture and creativity as economic drivers, and improving connectivity across the district and wider region.

"These elements collectively support a more dynamic, attractive and competitive place.

“The plan is a statement of collective ambition.

"It reflects the voices of partners, businesses and communities across the district and sets out a shared vision for a modern, confident and competitive Bradford.

“Through focused delivery and continued collaboration, the district can realise this ambition and secure long‑term prosperity for its residents, businesses and places.”

'It highlights all the positives of Bradford'

David Shepherd, strategic director for place, said the document would “guide” the council’s partners and organisations looking to invest in the district.

He said; “The ambition of Bradford becoming one of the core cities in the UK is one we could all get behind.

“To overtake some of these core cities we need to accelerate growth.”

Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe said: “This is really exciting, and marks the next stage of Bradford’s development.”

Deputy Leader Imran Khan said: “This shows how much Bradford has got to offer.

"It highlights all the positives of Bradford.

“This is not about the council doing everything, it is about the council creating an environment where everyone has their part to play and can contribute.”

Other aims

Among the aims of the plan are reducing the district’s unemployment rate to four per cent, create 17,000 new homes by 2035, and increase the number of advanced manufacturing and technology businesses.

The document says the plan will also build on Bradford’s successful year as City of Culture, and that “cultural regeneration” will be a key part of the push for Core City status.

The plan added: “City of Culture 2025 has created real momentum – building confidence, strengthening places, and laying the groundwork for a cultural legacy we will carry forward.”