City is given a say on £350m `village'

From the archive, first published Tuesday 21st Feb 2006.

The company which wants to create a £350 million canalside village in Bradford city centre has pledged it will be developed to suit the needs of the district's wide range of cultures.

Bradford Channel Ltd said today that Asian food stores, halal butchers and alternative `bars' for non-drinkers would be considered alongside cafes, gyms and stores in the new village.

Bradford Channel says the development - with its stylish, top quality apartments - will change the minds of Asian business people who are investing abroad in areas like Dubai because there too few investment opportunities locally.

Bradford Council's regulatory and appeals committee will soon consider an outline planning application for the scheme by the company which is fronted by Shipley firm Magellan Properties. A Bradford Channel team has also met representatives from Bradford's Asian community to discuss the plans.

Harold Robinson, a director of Bradford Channel, said: "Building a new Bradford is a totally different proposition today from that which faced the architects of old. In the past 100 years Bradford has changed its persona. It has moved from being a traditional town based on the textile industry and its mills to a vibrant, multi-cultural city.

"It is more cosmopolitan than many larger cities can claim to be. Diversity runs through the streets and avenues that are its veins. So it only makes sense for any company planning to change the look and feel of a huge swathe of the city centre to consult with the groups that make up the population of the new Bradford, including the large and influential Asian community." Mr Robinson said interesting views had been given on a number of issues from the bedroom count in apartments to the number of affordable homes to be built.

He said: "This was a very interesting and valuable get together. It confirmed our view that all the people of Bradford want - from whatever background creed or colour - is to see Bradford become all it could be."

Afzal Kahn, chief executive of Kahn Design said: "I am very interested in sharp, edgy design and the plans for Bradford Channel look fantastic. I think it's great that Bradford, my home town, will finally get the regeneration boost that so many other cities around the UK have already benefited from."

There are proposals for 2,600 new homes in the village which would be wrapped around a new canal basin on a site near Forster Square.

It would take ten years to complete the development which would be constructed in three phases.

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