First phase of City Village given planning consent

The first phase of a new city centre neighbourhood comprising around 1,000 homes has been given planning approval.

Bradford City Village will deliver hundreds of "modern, energy-efficient homes" according to the district council, alongside new public realm and landscaping.

The homes will be built across three sites - on the demolished former Kirkgate Shopping Centre, the former Oastler market and car parks on Chain Street.

Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe described the approval as "a milestone moment in what will be a landmark chapter for our city".

She added: "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."

Phase One will result in 33 townhouses on Chain Street, centred around a new community green, the local authority said.

These will include a mix of two and three-bedroom homes designed to suit a range of household sizes and needs, each with designated parking space.

A detailed planning application for phase two of City Village will be submitted later this year, the local authority said.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.