Before and after... Video report on how they shrunk Bradford’s Westfield shopping mall

Developer Westfield has revealed a scaled-down scheme at the Broadway site which will have 75 shops rather than the 100 originally planned.

Yesterday councillors questioned Westfield executives at a meeting at City Hall.

Westfield senior development executive Neil Maclure told councillors: “We can’t give a time – we may be on site next year. We cannot give a firm commitment.”

He said talks were taking place with major retailers in a bid to encourage them to take space in the proposed shopping development.

The developers were trying to “build up confidence” among potential retailers, he said.

Mr Maclure would not comment on speculation Debenhams would be one of two anchor stores but said Westfield was hoping to name a major retail outlet “soon”.

The meeting heard the shopping centre would create 2,500 jobs and take up a similar space as the original proposal, although it would only be on one level, rather than two.

The amount of investment would be £275m, said Mr Maclure.

Developers say the scheme could be built in two phases, with the retail element taking priority, and around 150 apartments, offices and a hotel coming later.

Councillors heard the scheme was “slightly smaller” than that which had been planned and this meant that the visual impact on the historic setting would also be reduced.

The number of proposed car parking spaces had been dropped from 1,600 to 1,300.

The revised plans go on display today and tomorrow at the Midland Hotel in Bradford.

Members of the public are urged to comment on the proposals.

A planning application is expected to be submitted shortly.