Major partnerships for Bradford regen

Bradford Council has taken on Homes England and others as partners for its district-wide regeneration projects.

Bradford Council has announced three major partnerships with Homes England, English Cities Fund, and UK Infrastructure Bank for its district-wide regeneration.

At the UKREiiF this week, the council revealed the next phases of its regeneration plans, which will include affordable housing, infrastructure development, and rail investment. 

The partnerships will provide structural and financial support to the council, and accelerate the projects already in action.

Inside the agreements

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by the council, Homes England, and West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), to develop more than 7,000 homes across the district, introducing affordable housing, and supporting infrastructure. 

The council also signed a pre-development agreement with Muse Places/English Cities Fund (ECF), a joint venture between Muse Places, Legal and General and Homes England, to start preparation work for the City Village Regeneration scheme. 

This scheme will see the redevelopment of the former Kirkgate shopping centre, which the council bought for £15.5 million, into 1,000 new homes in the city centre. 

The third agreement, signed with UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB), will see the firm provide technical assistance and advice on the delivery of a new rail station, with a 120-hectare site already earmarked, and the Southern Gateway regeneration project. 

Full scope 

Bradford will host the UK’s City of Culture in 2025, signposting the city’s wider regeneration goals. Major developments include: 

• Bradford Live at Bradford’s Odeon Theatre – set to be a 3,800-capacity music venue. Local contractor, R N Wooler is leading the project. 
• One City Park – a £35 million, five-storey, grade A office space. Caddick Construction are leading developments, and have contracted Howard Engineering for concrete work. 
• Darley Street Market – led by Kier, this project will see the development of a £23 million, three floor market, expected to be complete by 2024. 

On the recent agreements, leader of Bradford Council, Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, said: “This is a really exciting time for the District, we are enabling a number transformational projects which will boost the energy and vibrancy of the city centre and position it perfectly for the future.

“Many of these projects are now nearing completion such as Bradford Live, One City Park, Darley Street Market and North Parade public realm improvement schemes and we are preparing for Bradford 2025 which will further strengthen our investment offer.

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