Plans submitted for Bradford City Village

We’ve submitted plans for the first phase of the new sustainable community known as ‘City Village,’ which will transform Bradford’s former commercial core into a thriving new city centre neighbourhood.

Bradford City Village, which is being delivered by ECF (our partnership alongside Homes England and L&G) and Bradford Council, is proposed to be built across the ‘Top of Town’ area, which includes the Oastler, Kirkgate and Chain Street sites.

City Village will create up to 1,000 modern, energy-efficient homes including affordable housing. It will build on the area’s existing successful independent traders, introducing new opportunities for retail, leisure and business spaces.

Plans also include new high-quality public space including three new landscaped, green spaces which will complement recently completed improvements as part of the award-winning Bradford City Centre Walking and Cycling Improvement Scheme – creating a safer, greener and better-connected city centre.

A detailed planning application for Phase One, alongside an outline planning application for the rest of the site, has been submitted.

Plans for phase one include:

– The creation of 33 townhouses on the Chain Street site, centred around a new community green. Featuring a mix of two and three-bedroom homes designed to suit a range of household sizes and needs, each with designated parking space.

– A further 64 two and three-bedroom townhouses on the northern Oastler site, arranged around a series of courtyards and green spaces, each with designated parking space.

– Supporting infrastructure including safer roads, landscaped public spaces and active travel routes that promote walking and cycling to help create a sustainable community with health and wellbeing at its heart.

Earlier this year, Bradford-based affordable housing provider, Incommunities, was selected as ECF’s preferred funding partner to deliver the first phase of townhouses for sale and rent, subject to a final legal agreement.

Later phases of the City Village neighbourhood will include more than 300 apartments on the southern half of the Oastler site, alongside approximately 400 apartments on the Kirkgate site.

This major regeneration opportunity is part of wider plans to unleash the full economic potential of Bradford. The district – currently the UK City of Culture 2025 – has attracted an unprecedented level of investment into its transport and public infrastructure, as well as major capital developments including the recently launched Darley Street Market and Bradford Live music venue. City Village shows the direction of the city centre for the next ten years – quality housing, more public spaces and balancing retail against other uses that will bring more people into the city centre.

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

Bradford City Village has already secured major inward investment, including £13.2 million in-principle funding from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, a strategic partner which is helping to make the scheme a reality, alongside £30 million of Government funding via Homes England.

Simon Dew, director of development management – Yorkshire and North East at ECF, explained:

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council said:

“It is very exciting to be taking this next step towards realising the vision for City Village. Just as we’ve recently seen Darley Street Market successfully open its doors to great acclaim, so City Village will continue our work to transform the ‘top of town.’ It will be game-changing for the city centre.

“City Village is so much more than a housing development; it’s about creating a thriving, people-centric neighbourhood that encourages activity and brings communities together. We are leading the way on this, and it will set the gold standard for the future of urban living.”

If plans are approved, demolition of the Oastler site is expected to begin later this year, ahead of work beginning on Phase One in spring 2026.

Rachael Dennis, Chief Executive of Incommunities, said:

“This is an exciting step towards reimagining Bradford’s city centre, and we’re proud to support City Village as it takes shape.

“Our region faces a shortage of high-quality, affordable housing, making our programme to deliver 350 new homes across West Yorkshire more vital than ever. Our ambition extends beyond building houses, we are committed to creating vibrant neighbourhoods that people are proud to call home. Flagship developments like this can play a big part in building a city centre that is welcoming, connected and ready for the future.”

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:

“The City Village scheme is a shining example of how we’re transforming our region through partnership, investment and vision.

“By breathing new life into the heart of Bradford, we’re not just building homes – we’re creating a vibrant, inclusive community that reflects the city’s ambition as the UK City of Culture 2025.

“With greener spaces, better transport connections and high-quality, energy-efficient housing, this flagship scheme will deliver real benefits to local people for generations to come.  I’m proud that we’re backing this project with more than £13 million of in-principle funding to help make it a reality.”

The wider project team for Bradford City Village includes 5plus Architects, re-form Landscape Architecture, Avison Young, Cushman & Wakefield and Turner & Townsend.

For further information visit www.bradfordcityvillage.com