Bradford could get its first city living forum as more and more people choose to set up home a stone's throw away from their work and play.

A new report on city housing going to councillors next week shows there is a need for Bradford to increase its supply and type of city housing.

But it says it should be matched with a better range and quality of facilities.

And the report by DTZ Pieda Consultants says city dwellers may be spending their money outside the city centre because of the lack of leisure activities and shops.

The consultants also concluded the city's bad reputations may hit its future housing market. They said violent crime was far lower than Leeds and the rest of the region but some people still believed they were not safe in Bradford.

The report which will go to next Tuesday's regeneration and economy improvement committee says: "It is apparent that the reputation of Bradford city centre could hold back attempts to develop and promote a balanced city centre housing market."

The consultants say external marketing of the prospects and plans for the city centre is vital and could be done through a city living forum.

The report adds: "The enthusiasm and optimism of those who live in the city needs to be communicated to those within and outside the district, emphasising Bradford as a unique place with a strong identity and promising future."

The consultants also suggest a pilot scheme for car-pooling should be started and compulsory purchase orders should be used to bring derelict buildings into life.

They believe doctors and dentists should be encouraged to relocate to the city centre to meet demand.

The DTZ survey shows there are now about 900 people living in the city with 38 per cent of them aged 20 to 29.

The majority of the properties 40 per cent were rented from private landlords and 32.5 per cent were social housing.

The average property price in the city centre was £142,000, an increase of 118 per cent over the last three years.

The average price of properties in Little Germany was £162,000 and compared with a district average of £118,000.

The consultants - who had been brought in by Bradford Council, Bradford Centre Regeneration, Bradford Community Housing Trust and Manningham Housing Association - concluded there was enough social housing in the city but the balance between owner-occupation and private renting needed tackling.

Russell Baker, chairman of Asquith Properties which is spending £200 million on city centre developments, said: "It must have people with 'can do' mentalities. Forums are very good providing they are pro-active."

Committee chairman Councillor Val Slater said: "I think it is a very useful report which highlights a number of issues we need to tackle if we are to get a mixed bag of people living in the city."