Australian developer Westfield has confirmed it intends to open up its mothballed Broadway shopping centre site in Bradford city centre as a temporary public space.

If Bradford Council proposals are agreed much of the ten-acre site will be converted into a park or meadow until economic conditions improve.

Peter Miller, Westfield’s UK operating officer, said yesterday: “We are working with the Council on how to tidy up the site and make it more presentable. We are looking to find an interim use until the market changes and find a way to take the development forward.

“If the Council’s proposals are accepted, the site could become a public park or wild meadow. No owner or developer benefits from a redundant eyesore.”

Mike Cowlam, Bradford Council’s assistant director for regeneration, said: “The Council and Westfield share the frustration of local people and businesses about the site standing vacant in the city centre, and are looking at alternative temporary uses.

“Given the economic climate, it is unrealistic to expect development work to start in the near future, although Westfield and the Council remain committed to the scheme. Obviously the area is a construction site and we will need to be sure that the proposals taken forward make the ground safe for everyone.”

Both parties are working with other groups in the city to develop proposals for the stalled £320m shopping centre. Ideas include the creation of grassed areas, which would involve the hoardings surrounding the site being moved back.

There are also plans to provide seating, footpaths between the city centre and Little Germany, a wild flower meadow, urban allotments and an area for outdoor theatre performances.

Earlier this month Bradford Chamber of Commerce said temporary landscaping of the site on Broadway should be a priority. Following its annual policy priority survey of its 1,100 members, it urged the Council to act quickly.

Council surveyors have been on the site to establish the costs of the temporary scheme while regeneration chiefs are working with bosses of arts development organisation Fabric, which wants to see sculptures around the site, artwork on the hoardings and large art installations in the basement area that could be viewed through Perspex windows.

The proposals are part of the national campaign to let communities use mothballed development sites.