Introduction
The Masterplan is intended to provide a framework within which other initiatives are considered and progressed. As noted throughout this report this strategy does not propose radical physical change. As such the 'delivery' of much of the strategy will be through other initiatives, included the open space and lighting strategies referred to in this report.
In any event the delivery of the Phase 1 Masterplan redevelopment will need to be a key priority in the short term.
City of Bradford MDC
Much of the work referred to in this report is in the public realm and as such is primarily the responsibility of the City of Bradford MDC. In many cases they will be the landowner.
Many projects and initiatives will therefore need to be progressed in conjunction with the City of Bradford MDC. Bradford Trident does however provide an opportunity to encourage other partners and focus effort. Aside from constraints on capital and personnel resources the City of Bradford MDC will be concerned about the on-going maintenance liability of, for example, improved spaces and lighting.
This is likely to show itself in a reliance on tried and tested design and equipment solutions in playspace and in street furniture. This may run contrary to the need to create a particularly identity for the Trident area and the communities within it.
A Public Realm Handbook
This Masterplan points to a significant number of projects geared at improving the public realm - streets, civic spaces and so on. The Phase 1 Masterplan and the developer partner will be creating a number of new public realm areas.
In that context there may be some significant merit in preparing a 'public realm handbook' which considers the various spaces and areas and puts together a detailed list of agreed materials, street furniture, lighting stands and so on. This approach could deliver the following:
- An opportunity to get the community involved;
- Enable the City Council to sign up to 'Trident-wide' bespoke public realm solutions, considering the issues of maintenance and capital cost;
- Provide a structure for the development partner to progress public realm improvements in the Phase 1 Masterplan area;
- To create some overall consistency through the Trident area, yet perhaps with a different flavour in each community.
The prospective development partner and the City Council should be partners in the preparation of this handbook.
Lighting
The City Council will need to be closely involved in the delivery of street lighting improvements outside of the Phase 1 masterplan area.
In the context of this report discussions should be held with the City Council with a view to joint working on street lighting improvements.
Traffic Calming
As with improvements with to street lighting traffic calming proposals will need to be developed in conjunction with the City Council.
The Highway Authority will need to approve any traffic calming improvements. The Highway Authority should be made aware of the traffic management proposals suggested in this report and discussions opened about their delivery.
Marshfields - New Routes and Spaces
The open spaces strategy notes the almost complete lack of open space within the Marshfields area. Elsewhere the lack of good, safe pedestrian links through Marshfields and importantly on to the Mayfield building has been highlighted.
These deficiencies are only likely to be addressed following the demolition of a number of houses in the area. This could be done as part of an early phase of the Private Sector Housing Strategy and ideally through the agreed purchase of the appropriate properties. A number of alternatives are available and the potential to purchase key properties is likely to be a deciding factor. It would not be appropriate to identify those properties in this report but the Open Space strategy does identify 'areas of search'.
Woodroyd School Redevelopment
Bradford Trident should in conjunction with an housebuilder or housing association purchase the former Woodroyd School site and redevelop it for a mix of community uses and housing. The development should also comprise at least one pocket park.
Open Space Strategy
Groundwork Leeds has been commission to develop on this Masterplan strategy and in particular the open space strategy.
Hutson Street / Manchester Road
The potential revision to the layout of the proposed Retail Centre should be incorporated in the information provided to prospective Development Partners at the appropriate point.
Bradford Trident should explore the potential to ëpackageí the proposed access improvements to the commercial premises off Manchester Road with the wider development of the retail centre, housing and community park to be delivered principally by the prospective development partner. Bradford Trident would need to take a lead role in site assembly and gaining planning approval in conjunction with the City Council. The scope for existing businesses to contribute toward the improvement of access and the environment and/or undertaking complementary initiatives should be explored.
Trident Bridge
Trident Bridge - a means of truly linking the communities across Manchester Road and marking the renewed confidence in the area is ambitious project. Trident Bridge would not only bring real benefit to the Trident area but it would also underline Manchester Road as the Gateway into the City of Bradford.
It would be a major infrastructure project with likely costs being in the order of £1.5 million. This scale of cost and the direct benefits to the people of Bradford Trident does not justify its full funding out of existing NDC funding.
Bradford Trident should however seek to promote the idea of the Bridge to other stakeholders and agencies in Bradford. The concept can be seen as entirely consistent with the Gateway status of Manchester Road, the 2020 Vision and the City Councilís aspiration to promote widespread regeneration in the City Centre.
Bradford Trident should therefore discuss the concept with the City Councilís Regeneration Department as a precursor to seeking to develop a wider commitment to the idea. The potential Urban Regeneration Company in the City Centre would also need to be a partner.
If a wider partnership can be developed and some support is forthcoming from Government Office and Yorkshire Forward regarding potential funding then further feasibility work could be commissioned.
If the existing bridge structure is to remain then discussions should be held with the City Council and the Passenger Transport Executive regarding some improvements to reflect its linking role as part of Trident Park.
Development Control
The key elements of this Masterplan should be reflected in the emerging City of Bradford Unitary Development Plan. To that end the City of Bradford should be made aware of the findings of this report.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Conclusions
This Masterplan and the Phase 1 Masterplan provides an overall framework for the Trident area. It will provide a physical basis on which other initiatives and projects can be considered and developed.
This Masterplan builds on the Park Lane and Marshfield Masterplan.
The public consultation exercise suggests a lot of local support for many of the ideas in the Masterplan. To deliver many of the projects Bradford Trident will need to continue to work with its partners and in particular the City Council.
Recommendations
The key recommendations are therefore as follows:
- The Bradford Trident Masterplan should be adopted by Bradford Trident as the regeneration framework for the area;
- Bradford Trident should work with the City of Bradford MDC to have the Masterplan principles reflected in the Unitary Development Plan;
- Proposals for housing clearance as part of Bradford Tridentís Private Sector Housing Strategy should be considered in the light of the need to create new open spaces throughout the area and a new, predominately pedestrian route, through Marshfields;
- Bradford Trident should consider preparing a Public Realm Handbook for the area in conjunction with the City Council and the prospective development partner;
- Bradford Trident should hold preliminary discussions with the City Council on the ambitious Trident Bridge project;
- Bradford Trident should seek to promote the development of the former Woodroyd School for a mix of uses including community facilities and open space.
- This Masterplan should be incorporated as appropriate as supporting information into the Development Partner competition process.
