A NEW office development in the heart of Bradford City Centre will breathe new life into the area - Council bosses have been told.

One City Park is a Grade A office development that will be built on the site of the former Tyrls Police Station next to City Park.

At a meeting of the Council’s decision making Executive yesterday, members agreed to move forward with the project - partnering with Muse Developments to press ahead with the £25.8m scheme.

The Council’s leader described the building’s design as “fabulous” and said this type of development was much needed in the city centre.

Plans for offices on the site date back over 17 years, but while the wider City Park area was developed as an urban park, the office development has been delayed several times.

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The Tyrls police station building was demolished in Summer 2015 to make way for the development, with a temporary urban garden built in its place.

There was little visible movement on the project until recently, and at the Executive meeting members were given the latest update on when construction is likely to begin.

Shelagh O’Neill, assistant director, pointed out that the site had been earmarked as office space as far back as the Allsop Masterplan in 2003.

She told members that there had been no purpose Grade A office space built in the city centre for years.

The Executive were told that Muse were a well recognised brand, and were working with the Council to identify future tennants of the building.

Previous office developments by Muse in other cities have attracted businesses like KPMG.

Ben Middleton, assistant Director of Estates, said: “This is the best office location in the city centre.

“It will lead to a bustling, thriving environment, bringing in new businesses, or businesses that are new to Bradford.

“It will generate Grade A office space in the city centre at financially competitive rates compared to neighbouring cities.

“One City Park will be the right project at the right place at the right time.

“Muse have substantial expertise in delivering schemes like this.”

He said the development would bring 524 “high quality” jobs to the area, generate £195,000 in business rates alone per year and bring over £47 million into the city centre each year.

The proposals will have moved through the planning process by the end of this year, with construction due to start in May 2021.

Work will be finished in Autumn 2022 - the Executive was told.

Councillor Alex Ross Shaw, Executive for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “It is exciting to be able to share all this with the public. A lot of work has gone into making sure this development fits in with City Park.

“It will bring jobs to the area, and these staff will spend money in the city and many will move to the city centre, supporting the leisure offer.”

Council Leader Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe said: “When I speak to businesses they always say they require modern, top quality office space, and we need this.

“I also have to say, it looks rather fabulous.”