Bradford Council and ECF have secured planning consent for Phase One of the Bradford City Village development.
The development will be built across the ‘Top of Town’ area of the city, which includes the Oastler, Kirkgate and Chain Street locations, and will provide up to 1,000 energy efficient affordable and private rental homes, alongside new retail, leisure and business space.
Phase One comprises 33 two- and three-bedroom townhouses on Chain Street, centred around a new community green, and 64 two- and three-bedroom townhouses on the northern Oastler site, arranged around a series of courtyards and green spaces.
Bradford-based affordable housing provider, Incommunities, has been selected as ECF’s preferred funding partner to deliver the first phase of townhouses for sale and rent, subject to a final legal agreement.
Outline plans have also been approved for the wider regeneration, which will include more than 300 apartments on the southern half of the Oastler site, alongside approximately 400 apartments at Kirkgate.
Demolition of the former Oastler Shopping Centre, which closed permanently in June 2025, is expected to begin later this year. The 1970s-built Kirkgate Shopping Centre will also be taken down to make way for future phases of the development and will close later this year ahead of demolition beginning towards the end of 2026.
Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council, said: “This is a milestone moment in what will be a landmark chapter for our city, one that will unleash the full economic potential of Bradford as we align city centre improvements in housing, transport, retail and entertainment. City Village is so much more than a housing development; it will be transformative for the city centre – which was why it was recently announced as one of seven ‘game-changing’ regeneration projects in the district.
“When these plans become reality and the homes and public spaces are built, they will create a thriving, people-centric neighbourhood that brings communities together. It will build on unprecedented levels of recent investment into our transport and public infrastructure and when combined with planned major national transport improvements on rail and mass transit, Bradford’s city centre residents will benefit from faster, reliable connectivity within and between city regions.
“City Village shows the direction of the city centre for the next 10 years – quality housing, more public spaces and balancing retail against other uses that will bring more people into the city centre. We are leading the way on this and it will set the gold standard for the future of urban living.”
Simon Dew, director of development management – Yorkshire and North East at ECF, which is a partnership between Homes England, L&G and Muse, added: “Now that we have planning approval, our ambitious vision for City Village will start to become a reality. 2025 was a milestone year for Bradford – with its hugely successful UK City of Culture programme, the opening of Darley Street Market and Bradford Live, as well as the award-winning public space improvements.
“The council is fully committed to continuing this momentum and has major ambitions for the future of this city. Using our knowledge and expertise in placemaking – we will continue to unlock its economic potential and deliver real change, cementing its growing reputation as a place where people can live, work and thrive.”
Tracy Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire said: “This planning approval for Bradford City Village is an important step in the right direction, as work continues to transform the heart of the city centre. With new high quality homes, vibrant green spaces and better transport links, we’re committed to delivering for our communities and businesses in Bradford for decades to come. As we move onto the next stage of this flagship project, we remain dedicated to making Bradford City Village a reality and creating a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire.”
The Bradford City Village project team includes 5plus Architects, re-form Landscape Architecture, Avison Young, Cushman & Wakefield and Turner & Townsend.
