Bright Future ahead for Bradford City Village as new plans revealed

Detailed plans for Bradford City Village have been revealed following a final public consulation. 

A transformation of Bradford’s former retail heart into a community known as “City Village” has moved a step closer.

To be built across the “Top of Town” and Darley Street areas, the new City Village will repurpose what was Bradford’s commercial area. LRS are delighted to have provided Land Referencing Services for the project.

New Homes

Creating up to 1,000 homes, including affordable housing the project will offer independent retail and leisure opportunities. In addition, business spaces and public realm will include three new green spaces.

Phase one will include:
- Creation of 33 townhouses on the Chain Street site, centred around a new community green. Featuring a mix of two and three-bedroom homes.
- A further 64 two and three-bedroom townhouses on the northern Oastler site.
- Supporting infrastructure including safer roads, landscaped public spaces and active travel routes that promote walking and cycling.
- Later phases will include more than 300 apartments on the southern half of the Oastler site alongside around 400 apartments on the Kirkgate site.

The project has secured inward investment, including £13.2m in-principle funding from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, alongside £30m of Government funding via Homes England.

Bradford-based affordable housing provider, Incommunities, has been selected as ECF’s preferred funding partner. It will deliver the first phase of townhouses for sale and rent at Bradford City Village, subject to a final legal agreement.

Masterplan

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council, said:

“Over the last 18 months, ECF has been working with Bradford Council to develop the masterplan, following extensive public consultation and engagement with hundreds of local people.

“This is the final phase of consultation ahead of our planning application and we are encouraging everyone to get involved.

“City Village shows the direction of the city centre for the next 10 years – quality housing, more public green spaces and a shift away from an over-reliance on traditional retail that has now changed forever.

“Our vision is to create a healthy, sustainable and community-friendly neighbourhood.”

Turbocharged Economy

Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, added: “The City Village will be a gamechanger, attracting more jobs, investment and businesses to Bradford, and with proposals for a new through station and a tram connecting Bradford and Leeds, we can turbocharge our economy.

“Bradford is bustling with culture and opportunity, and this regeneration will ensure we continue to create a brighter region that works for all.”

A detailed planning application for phase one of City Village will be submitted in late summer, alongside an outline planning application for the rest of the site.

Demolition of the Oastler site is expected to begin in the autumn, ahead of work beginning on phase one in spring 2026.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council, said:

“This is the final phase of consultation ahead of our planning application and we are encouraging everyone to get involved.

“City Village shows the direction of the city centre for the next 10 years – quality housing, more public green spaces and a shift away from an over-reliance on traditional retail that has now changed forever.

Our vision is to create a healthy, sustainable and community-friendly neighbourhood.”