Bradford cues up CPO in key development area
The land in New Bolton Woods is within the Bradford-Shipley Canal Road corridor, and would be used for housing.
New Bolton Woods is a regeneration project managed by Canal Road Urban Village, a joint venture between Bradford Council and Urbo Regeneration, which aims to deliver a neighbourhood of around 1,000 homes, retail space, community health facilities, open space, and sports facilities.
Housing is being delivered in phases, with 200 homes already built by Keepmoat, while an Aldi and a Costa drive-thru have also been delivered.
The site, on Wealdheare Street, is not recorded at HM Land Registry and attempts to locate an owner have come up blank, leading to the recommendation of officers to seek compulsory purchase powers. .
Council members will vote on the order at an executive meeting on 5 November.
The land the council is looking to develop has been described as ‘redundant and unproductive’.
Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, said: “As a local councillor for the area, I know this site has been a blight on nearby houses for years.
“Despite our best efforts an owner cannot be identified, so using a CPO could bring the site into worthwhile use, create new homes and remove an eyesore for local residents.”
The joint venture was established with the council as a minority 19% shareholder with Urbo having 81%. Urbo is responsible for funding the project.
