Plans have been formally submitted for the first phase of City Village, a new sustainable community set to transform Bradford's former commercial core into a thriving city centre neighbourhood.

The multi-million regeneration is being delivered by ECF – a partnership between Homes England, Legal & General, and Muse – working alongside Bradford Council. The scheme will cover the ‘Top of Town’ area, including the Oastler, Kirkgate, and Chain Street sites.

City Village is expected to deliver up to 1,000 modern, energy-efficient homes, including affordable housing, as well as new retail, leisure, and business opportunities that build on the success of the area's existing independent traders. The masterplan also features three new landscaped green spaces, complementing recent city centre walking and cycling improvements, to create a safer, greener and better-connected environment.

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

Phase One proposals include:

• 33 townhouses on the Chain Street site, centred around a new community green.

• 64 two- and three-bedroom townhouses on the northern Oastler site, arranged around courtyards and green spaces.

• Supporting infrastructure such as safer roads, landscaped public areas, and active travel routes to encourage walking and cycling.

-- Advertisement --

Bradford-based affordable housing provider Incommunities has been named as ECF's preferred funding partner for the first phase, subject to a final legal agreement. Later phases are expected to deliver more than 700 apartments across the Oastler and Kirkgate sites.

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."

Over the last 18 months, ECF has worked closely with Bradford Council to refine the plans, drawing on feedback from hundreds of local residents. The scheme has already secured significant inward investment, including £13.2 million in-principle funding from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, alongside £30 million of Government support via Homes England.

Simon Dew, Director of Development Management – Yorkshire and North East at ECF, said: "The design of these homes – taken from the experience of our other award-winning communities across the country – include sustainable elements such insulation, photovoltaic panels and EV charging to ensure they are as energy efficient as possible. The plans have also been informed by extensive and thorough community conversations and reflect the overwhelmingly positive feedback we have had. These are high quality homes with gardens, designated parking and good connections to public transport links as well as new walking and cycling routes.

"There are landscaped areas of public space creating new green spaces which will bring people together and very much help to foster the community spirit we hope to nurture here. This is an ambitious, visionary project and working in partnership with the Council, we have the very best team working to bring it forward. We are all extremely proud of what it will mean for future generations in Bradford."

If approved, demolition of the Oastler site is due to begin later this year, with construction of Phase One expected to start in spring 2026.