Council defends homes targets after nearly 2,000 sites left undeveloped

BRADFORD COUNCIL’S plan for 3,500 new homes to be created in the city centre has been criticised after it emerged almost 2,000 properties have yet to be built, despite planning permission being granted.

The City Centre Area Action plan sets out ambitious targets for the centre of Bradford until 2030, including the construction of thousands of new homes, and the conversion of numerous buildings into apartments.

The plans will also see a new market built on Darley Street and the existing Oastler Market de- molished to make was for a development of family homes. But Councillor Simon Cooke (Cons, Bingley Rural) has questioned the targets, pointing out that numerous city centre developments have failed to materialise in recent years.

Coun Cooke recently asked Bradford Council how many homes had been granted planning permission in the city centre, but had not yet been built. In response, Coun Alex Ross Shaw, executive for regeneration, said between April 2013 and March 2017, 787 homes had been built in the city centre. The number of unbuilt housing units with planning permission granted stood at 1,945. Coun Cook said: “I’m a bit concerned that the current council strategy for the city centre seems to be based on significant amounts of housing developments happening, when it seems clear there isn’t the desire to build.”

In response, council leader Susan Hinchcliffe said: “It’s not a matter of hoping, it’s about having ambition for the place and the wherewithal to achieve that ambition.”