Work has started on a landmark £40 million development that will provide state-of-the-art accommodation for 1,000 students in Bradford.

The Sustainable Student Village, in the Listerhills area of the city, is scheduled for completion in summer 2011.

The environmentally-friendly student village is the first phase of the wider £150m Listerhills development that is set to include managed workspace, academic and healthcare facilities alongside extensive landscaping.

The scheme is regarded as the ‘building block’ for the city’s £750m Learning Quarter, which will provide a centre of excellence for the region through design, education and innovation. The project, which has received backing from Middle Eastern investors, is being promoted by Bradford Council at the ongoing MIPIM property fair, in the South of France.

Contractor GB Building Solutions, which has headquarters in Surrey and offices in Wakefield, Manchester, Newcastle and Rugby, has started demolition and enabling works. The development is being spearheaded by Mi7 Developments, the University of Bradford and regional development agency Yorkshire Forward.

The trio are delivering the scheme on behalf of the Hayaat Group, the Middle-East backed developer, in partnership with Welbeck Land Ltd.

Stephen Talboys, director of city centre regeneration for the Council, said: “This is another significant milestone in the project and good news, especially for those connected with education and regeneration.”

Speaking to property professionals at the conference in the Cannes, Mr Talboys said: “We are bringing this ambitious scheme to life and it is yet more evidence of the private sector being confident in Bradford as a place where they can do business.”

Professor Mark Cleary, vice-chancellor of the University of Bradford, said: “The Sustainable Student Village will boost our existing £84m programme of work to revitalise and develop the campus to create inspirational learning, living and social spaces.”

Jan Anderson, executive director for environment at Yorkshire Forward, said: “The Listerhills Student Village is one example of a major project that can change perceptions of the city. It will encourage private investors in the medium and long term.”

The scheme is deigned to set a precedent for student accommodation.”