A team of architects has been commissioned to draw up plans for one of Bradford's most prominent development sites.

Shipley-based Halliday Clark Limited is in the process of producing a proposal for the former Bradford Grammar School site, between Manor Row and Hamm Strasse.

The owners, Castlebay, based in the Isle of Man, may then choose to sell the site to developers in a so-called "oven ready deal" which would include the land, a detailed proposal and planning permission, if granted.

Mark Brearley, agent for Castlebay, said: "We have instructed Halliday Clark to submit a detailed planning application.

"It will be a predominantly residential scheme with an element of commercial use. The plan will reflect the requirements of Bradford Centre Regeneration (BCR) and the various URBED reports for the city centre.

"It seems likely that Castlebay will sell the site as a full package once we have got the planning approval. If we go down that route, the purchaser will have an oven-ready' deal."

David Halliday, director of Halliday Clark, said: "This is a case of local architects delivering an exciting project in the city in which they work.

"It's a very high-profile site and a key gateway to the city."

He said there was room for about 200 homes on the site combined with bars, health facilities and a convenience store on the ground floor.

"The last thing we want to do is build a thundering tower block on Hamm Strasse where it's sold to investors and there's nobody living there for ages. We want to create a community."

Full details of the scheme will be announced in mid-October, following negotiations with Council planners and BCR.

The grammar school site has been the subject of much controversy over the past three years, including a legal battle for ownership which went to the High Court and the Court of Appeal.

Developers Asquith Properties had entered into an Options Agreement' to buy the land from owners Castlebay. But the option period was due to expire on December 22, 2004, unless Asquith was deemed to be awaiting a decision on planning approval. Even though Asquith had already gained outline planning permission to build 200 flats, offices and a restaurant, subject to approval on reserved matters, the court ruled that the planning process had not progressed far enough, allowing Castlebay to pull out of the £1 million deal.

So complex was the legal wrangling which led to the court ruling against Asquith that it is now being used by many solicitors as case law' to provide an example of that aspect of property law.

After the court ruling, Asquith Properties said it would continue trying to buy the site.

But Russell Baker, chairman of Asquith, revealed today that the company's new legal team had advised them against it.

He said: "There have been so many issues and complications from day one that maybe it was telling us something.

"We were all set to buy it and it was Castlebay who made the decision not to sell. There's no animosity on our part."

e-mail: will.kilner@bradford.newsquest.co.uk