"Biggest development in Bradford District" is yet to begin

But the organisation behind the plans says it is still “committed to delivering the project as soon as possible.”

Plans to develop 180 acres of unused Yorkshire Water land in Esholt were first submitted to Bradford Council in 2019, and were approved by a planning committee in 2021.

The work would see the development of over 100,000 square metres of business space – creating around 2,000 jobs, and 150 homes.

At the planning committee where the development was approved in September 2021, councillors were told the project would “put Bradford on the map.”

But almost three years after that committee meeting, there has been little progress on site.

And wrangles over the “section 106 agreements”, conditions the developer has to meet for the work to go ahead, has meant the application has technically not yet been approved.

Yorkshire Water and Bradford Council say the two organisations are still in discussions to finalise these agreements.

The application was by Keyland Developments, the sister company of Yorkshire Water.

At the Regulatory and Appeals Committee in September, members were told that one condition of the plans was that the developer provide almost £2 million to improve local transport and highways networks.

The site would also include an area of public open space, a “community hub,” a new heritage trail, numerous public footpaths and new wooded areas.

Improvements would be made to the neighbouring road network, in Bradford and over the Leeds border, and this would include public transport, walking and cycling routes. 

The development site (Image: Yorkshire Water)

The work would be completed in phases, and the Development would take around 20 years to be completed.

There had been scores of objections to the plans, many of which raised concern about the extra traffic the scheme would generate. 

But members of the planning committee approved the scheme after officers said the benefits of such a huge development would outweigh any downsides.

Earlier this year, Councillor Debbie Davies (Cons, Baildon) raised the lack of progress at the site at a Bradford Council meeting, and asked if the Council could guarantee the much lauded project would still go ahead.

The response from the Council said: “Planning permission was granted for 150 dwellings and 100,000 sqm of employment uses by the Regulatory & Appeals Committee at their meeting on September 23 2021.

“This was subject to a Section 106 agreement, to include several provisions including the phasing of this strategically important development.

“The applicant continues to be in discussion with Council officers to finalise matters in the S106 agreement.

“Obviously the Council cannot guarantee delivery of something entirely developed and delivered by a third party, but we are keen to see it move forward as a high quality scheme that will provide quality homes in the district.”

The Local Democracy Reporting Service recently asked Yorkshire Water whether there had been any further movement since this Council response.

A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said: "We are working closely with the Council regarding Section 106 planning matters.

“We’re committed to delivering the project as soon as possible."

Cllr Davies said: “Back in 2021 I raised some concerns about the impact of this development on Esholt village, particularly with regard to increased traffic in the conservation area and at the time West Yorkshire Police objected, citing the design of the housing estate could leave residents vulnerable to crime and anti-social behaviour. 

“Given the recent incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour in Esholt this is a big concern. 

“I hope that we can be informed if this major project is still going ahead and if so when building work is expected to start as I’m sure residents would appreciate being informed of developments.”

The development has long been heralded as one of the major regeneration schemes in the district.

After the application was approved by the planning committee, Yorkshire Water put out a statement saying: “This is a landmark development and one that will form a large part of plans for sustainable growth in Bradford and the economy in the area.”

And before the plans were approved then Council Chief Executive described it as the “largest development proposal in the district.”

The scheme’s green credentials have been raised numerous times, with the development set to incorporate sustainable energy like solar panels and a low carbon energy network, as well as rainwater harvesting and sustainable transport links.