Planning permission expires for retail park
PLANNING PERMISSION for the redevelopment of a Bradford retail park has expired after the scheme failed to materialise within three years of being approved.
In 2014 British Land, the owners of Forster Square Retail Park, revealed plans to make the shopping area more attractive to pedestrians and cyclists by improving links with Bradford city centre.
This included increasing the number of cycle parking spaces, altering the layout of the car park and adding facilities like a customer service building, public toilets and a children’s play area.
The scheme was hailed as a “comprehensive” overhaul of the retail park, and early in 2015 Bradford Council approved the planning application.
One of the conditions of that approval was that work on the site had to begin within three years – a common condition when such plans schemes are approved to prevent developers from “sitting” on projects.
Bradford Council has confirmed the planning permission has now expired.
London-based British Land also has permission for a major leisure development on the former Royal Mail site next to the retail park.
Plans for Forster Square Leisure, which included a cinema, gym and restaurants, were approved by Bradford Council in April 2016. Although work has started on the site – the buildings were demolished last year – construction of the new development has yet to begin.
In its application, British Land said the changes to Forster Square Retail were an attempt to shake off the image as a “car-only zone.”
It said it would create new walkways, street furniture and an “events space”. There would also be new lighting. Regarding the expiry of the plans, a spokesman said there was “no update available” from the group.