Coroner’s court to move to new base

PLANS HAVE been announced to build a new coroner’s court in one of Bradford’s most historic areas.

The new court will be sited in Cater Buildings in Cater Street, Little Germany, and will serve the Bradford, Kirklees and Calderdale districts.

All three local authorities contribute to the running cost of the current coroner’s court, which will continue once the new facility opens.

Technical surveys are being undertaken, and a design team has been appointed to develop the detailed layout of the new courts and offices.

The existing court has been deemed unsuitable for grieving relatives and friends as they share the same entrance as those attending criminal courts, and visitors must also pass through strict security checks.

The new centre will also support a more efficient and united coroner’s team – bringing staff, some of whom are based at Trafalgar House, Bradford, together under one roof.

Unlike the current facility in the magistrates’ court which only has one court dedicated to the coroner, the new facility will encompass three separate courts to help reduce a backlog in the number of inquests.

Plans will be submitted before the end of February and the main works are likely to start in the autumn, lasting up to 12 months.

Senior Coroner Martin Fleming said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for the residents of Bradford, Kirklees and Calderdale to have access to dedicated coronial services.

“Those grieving across all communities deserve dignity, respect and for issues to be handled as sensitively and efficiently as possible.”

He added the Little Germany district was “a vibrant area full of heritage and potential and is also easily accessed by good local transport links” and claimed that it was good to “put down roots here”.