Plans for multi-million pound educational quarter revealed

AMBITIOUS plans for a £750m 'learning quarter' which will transform a large swathe of Bradford city centre have been unveiled.

The area, centred around the University of Bradford and Bradford College, will provide space for creative and knowledge-based industries alongside residential developments and public green spaces.

Key to the quarter will be the creation of the £100m Listerhills Student Village, which will provide accommodation for 1,000 students with a health and dentistry centre; Beehive Mills, which will bring 30,000 sq ft of retail and commercial space as part of a £65m scheme; and the £60m New Victoria Place, which will create a vibrant new public square and space for offices, apartments and restaurants.

Plans are also being proposed to create an £80m Bradford Science Park.

The schemes are being developed by international developers Mi7, The McGinnis Group and Langtree-Artisan. Construction and property developer MacAleer & Rushe, of Northern Ireland, is also drawing up plans to develop a £50m scheme in the area.

Although work on several of the scheme's is underway, the proposal for the quarter will link the different strands together.

The proposal, which is being unveiled at MIPIM, the annual three-day international property conference which is taking place in Cannes this week, is to be pushed forward through a partnership between the city's private investors and public and educational organisations.

The planned quarter includes several existing public and private sector-led developments including:

– a £200m campus at Bradford University,

– an ongoing £140m extension plan at Bradford College with a second phase involving the redevelopment of a number of existing sites to create a £120m city centre campus,

– Listerhills Student Village which has been backed by Abu Dhabi-based institutional investor Projenco Al Khaleej,

– a complex of former mills which will provide an ideal opportunity to build key housing for workers, standing alongside Beckside Park which will create a network of green space linking the private developments within the existing campuses of the university and college.

Clive Wilson, of Bradford University, said: “The city's university and college are already recognised on an international scale, with the university hosting one of the top 20 business schools in Europe, attracting a growing number of learners to the city.

“Over the next 10 years, the quarter will integrate emerging proposals from new developers alongside educational resources including the Bradford Science Park and the visionary £200m expansion plans being implemented by the university and college to create a vibrant and thriving community in the city.”

Maud Marshall, chief executive of Bradford Centre Regeneration, the body tasked with leading the urban regeneration of the city, said: “The idea behind the quarter is to create a unique space that celebrates all that the city has to offer and create a real sense of place and life through the buildings and developments that are being created.

“We have two leading academic establishments in the city centre and businesses are realising the possibilities this offers them. The quarter will act as a joining point bringing these different creative worlds together and linking them into the city centre.”

Ms Marshall said the area would include some “world class public realm” and link the east side of the city to the civic heart of Bradford.

She added: “This is about bringing in a real sustainable and environmental focus to the regeneration as well as creating a clean and pleasant environment in which people want to come together and spend time as a community.”

Meanwhile, Hull Citybuild has selected UK developer Nikal as its preferred partner for the next major project at Hull's new waterfront business district,Humber Quays.

The announcement was made yesterday at MIPIM.

The mixed-use scheme is the fourth development at Humber Quays. Designed by Surface Architects, it will incorporate a waterfront restaurant, office space and high grade apartments.

The scheme is scheduled for completion by autumn 2009.

John Holmes, chief executive of Hull Citybuild, said: “After a competitive selection process, we are delighted to announce Nikal as our preferred development partner for this key project.

“We have been exceptionally pleased with their first development, Freedom Quay, both in terms of quality and their commitment to engaging local contractors. The design concept for the scheme is exciting and when completed will be a significant addition to this prime business district.”