Decision expected today over mixed-use development at mill

A fresh attempt to transform a former Bradford mill into more than 300 homes is expected to be ruled upon today.

JM Construction Ltd wants to convert three mill buildings and construct two new residential buildings and office space at Midland Mills, Valley Road, within the Canal Road corridor which would form part of the proposed reinstatement of Bradford Canal.

The multi-million pound development secured the backing of Bradford Council in 2008 subject to the completion of an agreement – known as a Section 106 agreement – which included providing money for educational facilities, public transport and highway improvements. However, failure by the applicant to complete the agreement meant that permission for the development was knocked back in October 2009.

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Bradford Council's Regulatory and Appeals Committee will be advised to back the latest bid when it meets today.

The development would include 304 residential units, 81 parking spaces and amenity space plus 607 square metres of office space.

A report to be considered by the committee says: "The proposed development would provide a mixed-use development supporting the aim of encouraging a balance of uses in the city centre and focusing on a brownfield site in an area well served by public transport in proximity to essential services; promoting sustainable design; and maintaining heritage assets."

The proposal includes 81 parking spaces – which is less than a quarter of the number recommended for the proposed scale of development.

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But the developer has proposed a package of measures to encourage travel by sustainable means and to mitigate against more on-street parking.

These include contributing to a car club, improved street lighting, providing a bus shelter and "real time" signage at Canal Road, secure cycle parking, pubic transport information in welcome packs for residents and an extended traffic regulation order to Cape Street to restrict on-street parking.

The report says that as a result of the economic downturn, the applicant has questioned the viability of the proposed development if it had to meet obligations required including contributions to affordable housing, recreation open space; education facilities and public transport improvements.

The applicant has requested that the Section 106 agreement is dealt with through an overage, which would involve the total proceeds of sale from the development being calculated and then all relevant costs incurred by the developer, including land purchase, fees, development costs and an agreed profit level being deducted.

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A report to be considered by the committee says: "On consideration, it's believed that the proposed re-use of listed buildings, at a key site on the edge of the city centre, would represent the type of case where the flexible approach to dealing with planning obligations is appropriate.

"The use of overage does pose a risk to the council in achieving contributions to local infrastructure, but on balance, in the current economic climate, is considered appropriate."

The committee will be advised to grant planning permission subject to the Section 106 Agreement being completed.

The agreement includes 131,000 for off-site recreation open space within the City ward, 71,000 for primary educational facilities in the ward, a sum of up to 58,000 public transport improvements plus a commuted sum of 423,000 in lieu of the provision of affordable housing units on-site to be used for off-site affordable housing.