An innovative £4 million commercial property development in Bradford has taken a further step forward with the appointment of a builder as the lead contractor.

Inspire Bradford Business Park, whose name and website were launched last month, will include Europe’s largest straw-bale constructed buildings. The development will be built on a brownfield site near Eccleshill Community Hospital by Shipley-based Stainforth Construction.

It will include two buildings totalling 2,787 square metres with 14 serviced offices and 14 managed workspaces.

Stainforth Construction was selected after a competitive tender held by the Newlands Community Association, which will be based at the new site.

The Association, currently based in east Bradford, supports activities such as training, education, care and socialising across six locations.

The NCA will own and manage Inspire Bradford Business Park.

Work will start this month and is expected to be completed early next year.

NCA chief executive Tony Holdich said: “The appointment of a contractor brings the delivery of Inspire a step closer and we are delighted a local firm has won the contract.

“Our aspiration for Inspire is to create a work environment of the very highest standard while ensuring that it provides efficient and flexible accommodation to exceed tenants’ requirements.

“We want the business park to inspire both the local community and those businesses that locate here, so the name of the development reflects that objective. By redefining what a business park is, we are implementing a blueprint for commerce and community to coexist and to promote enterprise from both.”

The new business park will also include a café and digital media centre. Four meeting rooms will also be available to hire by the hour or day.

Offices will range in size from 10 sq m to 38 square metres and the work spaces are 64 sq m with a 34 square metres mezzanine floor. The two buildings will be built according to the latest sustainable construction standards to achieve a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating, including using thermally efficient, one metre thick straw bale wall panels.

BREEAM is the environmental assessment for building.

Sustainable features include a ground-source heat pump and a rainwater catchment reservoir which will supply lavatories and water for plants within the building. Photovoltaic cells in the roof will also create energy whilst wooden fittings and carpets will be made from recycled material.

Stainforth Construction managing director Danny Wilson said: “This is a really exciting project to be involved in and we are absolutely committed to delivering the highest level of quality and sustainability.

“The vision that Tony and the NCA have created for Inspire is bold and exciting and we are looking forward to making it a reality.”

Funding for the development includes more than £1 million from the European Regional Development Fund, £1m from the Communitybuilders Fund and £990,000 from Bradford Council’s Local Enterprise Growth Initiative. NCA also secured a £1 million mortgage from the Charity Bank.