In 2009, Bradford Civic Society published a booklet called Common Sense Regeneration which outlined what the society thought should be done to regenerate the city and make it prosperous once again.

The booklet was distributed widely and received feedback from many organisations and individuals within Bradford and beyond.

Now, in light of changing circumstances locally and nationally, the Civic Society has published a revaluation of principle regeneration proposals.

Political power has shifted, both nationally and in Bradford. Bradford Council has recently stated that, when it comes to regeneration, it intends to consult more widely with the public and with community groups.

Alan Hall, Civic Society chairman, said: “Some of the issues which occupied people’s attention in 2009 are less relevant in 2013. In 2009, many people considered that the proposed City Park would be an expensive white elephant.

“In 2013, City Park is an up-and-running reality and whatever misgivings Bradford Civic Society members may have had in the past, it really behoves us now to wish it well and give it our support.”

The 12-point document ranges from the specific – promote the construction of a crossrail link; build an international-class swimming pool in or near the city centre – to the nebulous – take greater advantage of Bradford’s geographical location in the centre of the UK.

Mr Hall said: “The plans that have been published for Westfield’s proposed Broadway development so far are frankly disappointing. They show a medium-sized shopping mall which, even before it is built, looks to be at least 20 years out of date.

“It is little more than a newer version of the Kirkgate Centre with the usual high-street outlets, presuming that they can be persuaded to sign up, lumped together in a bland complex which takes little account of Bradford’s particular architectural and cultural heritage – it could be anywhere in the UK.

“In this era of rapidly increasing internet shopping, a town-centre mall like the one envisaged is really an anachronism. And those still desiring retail therapy of this kind will more readily travel to much grander places, like Meadowhall or the Trafford Centre.

“The key factors with those places are that they are well away from congested city centres, they are adjacent to motorways and they have huge amounts of free parking.

“The Council should consider abandoning its adherence to the Westfield/Broadway project and concentrate efforts on expanding and upgrading the already successful Forster Square and Valley Road Retail Parks.

“This should include improving access and encouraging the renovation of nearby former industrial premises, like the Conditioning House, so that a mixed area of retailers, restaurants, bars and other businesses can develop.

“The Westfield/Broadway site itself could then perhaps be developed as another ‘lung’ for the city centre... It could be an open-air piazza, containing cafes and kiosks and with provision for exhibitions, fairs and open-air markets.

“Much better access to Little Germany and the cathedral area would also be possible, instead of these areas remaining somewhat cut off from the rest of the city centre.”

In response to Bradford Civic Society, Bradford Council leader Councillor David Green said: “Westfield represents only part of the answer, and I have never said otherwise.

“We need to use the development as a part of the jigsaw and to use it to encourage the growth of independents in the rest of the city centre to give Bradford its unique selling point (USP) and give people a reason to come to the major retailers in Bradford rather than other cities and out of town shopping centres. This is why we are using the Growth Zone to encourage new businesses and retailers into the empty units in the city centre.

“The Civic Society proposal would damage the ability to deliver in the city centre as it would move the major shopping offer to a peripheral part of the city. It also fails to recognise that the Westfield site is in private ownership and their options for the site are not feasible.

“The economic case for a cross-rail link has not been established and there is little enthusiasm from funders and operators for the scheme. What we need are better links to the city from the south and west and this is what we are seeking to develop.”