A pre-development agreement has been signed for the regeneration of City Village in Bradford. The agreement was signed between the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council and The English Cities Fund (ECF).
Established in 2001, ECF is a strategic joint venture between Muse, Legal & General, and Homes England. Its mission is to combine the strengths of the public and private sectors to transform urban areas and create exceptional new places.
ECF and Bradford Council will now collaborate in shaping and exploring the critical elements of delivering, funding, and phasing the City Village project. This development will encompass the former Kirkgate and Oastler Markets area. As a result, it aims to deliver up to 1,000 high-quality homes in the city centre.
The vision for Bradford City Village is to create a safe, healthy, and attractive neighbourhood with high-quality public spaces, modern landscaping, and traffic-calmed streets. This ambitious initiative will set the stage for the ongoing regeneration strategy of the district, emphasising design quality and sustainable development in residential living for the 21st century.
In conjunction with the Top of Town Townscape investment and public space improvements funded through the Transforming Cities Fund, the completion of City Village will bring new opportunities for revitalised independent retail, cafes, bars, and business spaces. The redevelopment of the former Oastler Market site and the Kirkgate Shopping Centre will further enhance the city’s economic and social landscape.
Collaborative Efforts to Create City Village: A Sustainable and transformative city centre in Bradford
The design, delivery, and long-term vision of this intervention in the city aim to create a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable place that benefits residents, businesses, and visitors. It will serve as a model of cheerful urban design for city living in the 21st century. It will also act as a catalyst for additional investments in enhancing buildings, heritage assets, streets, and green spaces across the city centre.
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Bradford’s regeneration plans involve a £1bn pipeline of projects. They are all aimed at shaping and attracting significant city investments. Key developments include One City Park, Bradford Live, and initiatives the Keighley and Shipley Towns Fund supports. The preparations for hosting Bradford 2025, the UK’s next city of Culture, are also progressing rapidly.
Additionally, the Southern Gateway partnership is driving a substantial 312-acre opportunity that could generate 27,000 new jobs and provide a £30 billion uplift to the city over a decade.
Simon Dew, the development director at ECF, expressed enthusiasm about partnering with the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, highlighting the shared vision of delivering regeneration focused on people, place, and the planet.
Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, planning, and transport, emphasised the significance of this announcement, showcasing the momentum and power of public-private partnerships in investing in one of England’s most important cities.
