Plans to transform Bradford’s former retail heart into a new sustainable ‘City Village’, billed as Bradford’s most ambitious regeneration project in generations, have taken a major step forward with the in-principle appointment of a preferred development partner.
It’s ECF, the partnership between Homes England, Legal & General and Muse, which appointment, via Muse, was approved in principle by the Council’s Executive Board yesterday, subject to final contract agreements later this month.
Bradford Council’s Lead Member for Regeneration Alex Ross-Shaw said: “This is part of a much bigger picture of regeneration across Bradford as our current regeneration programme like One City Park, Darley Street Market and the pedestrianisation works start to complete. City Village is the next big regeneration programme and will re-define the centre of Bradford. It shows the direction of the city centre for the next ten years – quality housing, more public and green spaces and safer streets to create the quality of city centre living that Bradford needs and deserves.
“Our vision is to create a healthy, sustainable and community-friendly neighbourhood. While housing is at the heart of these plans, City Village will also create opportunities for new independent retail, cafes, bars and business spaces. Bringing more homes into the city centre will also increase custom for the existing businesses on North Parade, where our recent investment shows what a sustainable, greener high street can look like.”
Sir Michael Lyons, Chair of ECF, said: “City Village is Bradford’s most ambitious regeneration project in generations. The funding made available by Homes England marks a significant step forward and demonstrates the commitment to ECF’s partnership with Bradford Council and the future of the city centre, coinciding with the city’s forthcoming UK City of Culture year.
“We’re excited to continue to work with the Council, Homes England and West Yorkshire Combined Authority to help Bradford realise its full potential, transforming the city centre into a safe, sustainable and inclusive place where people will want to live, as well as work and visit.”
The City Village is set to deliver up to 1,000 new homes, three new community parks and public spaces, along with shops, cafes, restaurants, and offices. Its delivery will be supported by Jack Pasley, who joined the company in October as part of the Leeds-based team charged with creation of the sustainable residential neighbourhood in the city centre.
The Council’s Executive Board also approved plans to enter into a grant funding agreement with Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency, to release £29.9m of provisional Brownfield Infrastructure & Land funding, subject to final Homes England approval before the end of this year.
The new funding will be used to make improvements to the road network and public spaces, as well as support the demolition of the Oastler and Kirkgate Shopping Centres. The Oastler demolition is set to commence in summer 2025 and will enable the future regeneration opportunity to come forward. It is hoped the initial BIL funding will also help attract further investment to unlock future phases of the masterplan, which aims to completely transform Bradford city centre.
Over the last 18 months, ECF has been working with Bradford Council to develop a masterplan, including extensive public consultation and engagement. ECF will now work in partnership with the Council to progress a planning application. A second phase of public consultation will take place later this year, with an application expected to be submitted in spring 2025.
The regeneration opportunity is one of fifteen places identified in the Strategic Place Partnership between the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) and Homes England – announced last year – which aims to unlock ambitious, complex residential regeneration schemes and boost the delivery of thousands more homes.
