Development plans in Bradford set to create thousands of new jobs
THOUSANDS of new jobs could be created in Bradford, thanks to new ambitious development plans being put in place.
Work has begun on a brand new high-tech advanced manufacturing park in Baildon, which will comprise “bespoke” buildings. Bradford Council, which owns the land, is expecting the first planning application on the 15-acre site to be submitted in the next few weeks.
Council leader David Green said there is already interest from three different businesses in the area.
“These will be bespoke buildings and we have already prepared the site and done the access road. It is a great opportunity for individual businesses to come along and build what they need to allow their business to grow and expand.”
Coun Green said there will be approximately six to seven units on the new Buck Lane development, but this will depend on what businesses move in.
Bradford Council is also in talks with the Homes and Community Agency to create a number of new offices in the former police station in City Park.
Coun Green said: “We are in the process of negotiation about the potential of the building as a development site to bring in new business. One block could probably get 1,500 to 2,000 jobs there.”
The six-acre City Park, which is seen as vital for the success of the city’s masterplan, is something Cllr Green said is “aimed to introduce new developers and businesses”.
Coun Green said the council is now heavily focused on regeneration in the city centre.
“The city centre is the shop window for the district – it’s the first impression,” he said.
“Like many cities, we face the challenge of the retail market and the economic situation has lead to multi-national brands and British brands going bust, which has affected everyone.
“There has been a lack of confidence but the Westfield shopping centre which had been dragging for a while and had damaged the perception of Bradford,
is back on track. This will be a game changer which will change the retail offer and the perception of Bradford and highlight that we deliver in partnership with the private sector.”
Developer Westfield said it plans to start work on the Broadway shopping centre in Bradford this year. The £260m development will comprise a 550,000 sq ft retail centre including more than 70 shops and places to dine.
Bradford which is home to big names such as Pace and Provident, received a £35m RGF cash injection in 2011, which is now being used for development platforms and business rate reliefs to attract more business into the city.
It has also contributed to the Leeds City Region Partnership £10m Revolving Investment Fund (RIF). The aim is for this funding to be loaned to commercially viable construction and infrastructure projects across the city region.
Coun Green, who is also a local authority LEP board member, said: “We are looking to grow the fund so we can direct investment as and when we need to.
“Now, I think that as a council, we have got to think, what is Bradford going to look like in 10 to 15 years and what are we going to do to support that? I want to put in place the building blocks that will be of benefit to Bradford in the future. We need the city to be thriving in 20 years.
“It would be wrong not to say Bradford faces a huge number of challenges but these come with opportunities. The important thing is that the city has got to be flexible and I am confident about changing the city – as long as everyone keeps their eye on the future.
“It would be easy for a politician to spend money in the short-term but it doesn’t actually lead to sustainability in the city. I think we have been let down by that sort of thinking in the past. If people buy into the fact this isn’t an overnight fix and understand there will be kinks and curves along the way, we all get to the same place.”
