Where is the Shipley – Bradford Canal Road Corridor?
This is the corridor between the centres of Bradford and Shipley either side of Canal Road – i.e. an area measuring approximately 5 km from north to south and 1 km east to west.
So why the emphasis on this part of Bradford?
The Corridor is strategically placed both locally in linking up the Council’s other three regeneration masterplan areas – City Centre, Manningham and Airedale and regionally being adjacent to the Leeds City Region . It has the potential to provide significant redevelopment opportunities on vacant and underused land and buildings alongside strategic transport links. Shipley – Bradford Canal Road Corridor offers a major opportunity to carry out the mid to long term regeneration of an area in such a way as to meet the strategic needs of the District in terms of the delivery of economic growth, business investment, new homes and jobs for local people.
How much potential is there in the corridor?
This is still to be determined through the ‘master planning’ exercise but there is approximately 100 acres of land which could be redeveloped for a variety of interconnected uses. An added advantage of this initiative is that it relieves the development pressure on the district’s greenbelt.
What is the timetable for this project?
This is a long term comprehensive, incremental regeneration project over the next 20 to 25 years starting with the production of a Development Framework and Area Action Plan.
Will the project only benefit the area within the corridor boundary?
No, the areas immediately adjacent to the corridor will also benefit from an improved road and rail network together with more employment, housing, leisure and shopping opportunities.
What happened to the idea of reinstating the Bradford canal?
The Development Framework will consider a variety of options for significant public realm improvements within the corridor. These options will be tested and costed and the preferred option may or not include the canal.
Where will the funding come from to pay for this?
The council has already attracted significant sums from central government and Europe towards the planning of this project and will continue to seek such funds. It will also use its land holdings in the corridor to enter into development partnerships with private sector developers and investors. It is anticipated at this stage that the majority of the development costs will come from the private sector.
Who is producing the masterplan?
The Council appointed the Building Design Partnership (BDP) to undertake this commission following a procurement process which attracted over 170 expressions of interest. BDP are experienced in producing effective and deliverable master plans in similar locations throughout the UK and Europe.
What is the connection with Arnold Lavers?
Lavers are a major stakeholder within the corridor. They have experience via their development arm, Urbo Ltd, in undertaking comprehensive development schemes in similar locations. Urbo and the Council have entered into a joint venture company arrangement to prepare, co-ordinate and deliver the development the Centre Section of the corridor.
How can residents and businesses get involved?
The Council want to engage effectively with stakeholders in the production of the masterplan. and there will be a programme of community and stakeholder consultation events arranged as part of the process to prepare the Development Framework to do this.
What is the Area Action Plan (AAP)?
The AAP will be the new planning policy document contained within the Local Development Framework (LDF) for the corridor which will guide development proposals up to 2026. The AAP process will commence after the completion of the masterplan and is due for completion in 2012/13.
