FAQs

A Development Framework is an illustrative, visionary presentation of what a place could look like in the future.  It identifies and brings together specific opportunities for development and showcases how they might look, alongside what would be required to make that development happen.  By showing how opportunities can work together the aim is to maximise their benefit.

“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together” – Vincent Van Gogh

A Development Framework has sufficient flexibility to be able to respond to changing market conditions as well as new issues and opportunities that come forward.  A Development Framework will consider in more detail how investment can be funded, delivered and implemented.

A masterplan is more detailed and focusses on specific opportunities that are currently known about.    

Both aim to encourage long term investment in an area, inform potential uses within key sites and support the revival of places.  Both also help show local people what high quality development could look like and how it could come forward, including investment in local infrastructure such as green spaces and transport.

A Development Framework looks at a place comprehensively to build on its existing strengths. It is underpinned by site visits, detailed market analysis and stakeholder engagement to get under the skin of a place.  

The Development Framework is not a planning application.  It is used by developers, landowners and the Council to inform and shape future planning applications.

Once formally adopted by the Council, the Development Framework becomes a material planning consideration, and can be considered as and when planning applications come forward.

Upon adoption, the Local Plan will form the statutory planning framework for the Bradford District. A key element of this is to provide the strategic policy framework and land use allocations for all new developments and supporting infrastructure. The Local Plan is, therefore, the primary consideration in the determination of planning applications and a key consideration in shaping wider Council strategy.  

The Development Framework will align with the Local Plan, and will support the delivery of new housing, employment and infrastructure improvement opportunities set out within the plan.

The Development Framework does not alter the timeline of the emerging Local Plan, but may well look beyond the plan period at the longer term regeneration and development growth options within the area.

Neighbourhood Development Plans (NDPs) are planning policy documents prepared by local communities and set out a framework to help manage growth and development in their area. They may cover a range of issues such as design standards, protection of open spaces and community facilities, heritage and infrastructure. Although NDPs are not compulsory, where a community has chosen to prepare one, they must be prepared in accordance with the statutory Regulations governing the NDP process and following a local referendum, should there be a positive outcome, they can be adopted by the Council as part of the statutory development plan for them to be formally used and recognised in the decision making planning process alongside the Local Plan.  Parish, Town and Village Councils along with established Neighbourhood Forums can apply to the Council for their area to be recognised as a Neighbourhood Area for the purposed of preparing an NDP.

 The Development Framework will have to align and work within the constraints of any adopted Neighbourhood Development Plans.  We will aim to work alongside any neighbourhood areas who are currently in the process of developing Neighbourhood Development Plans to align the Development Framework where possible.

This Development Framework will cover the parliamentary constituencies of Bradford South, Bradford East and Bradford West.  Together they account for the main urban part of the city.  The area includes the city centre, plus key regeneration sites such as the area identified for a new through station near the St James wholesale market.

Alongside the City of Bradford Development Framework, we are also creating Development Frameworks for Keighley, Shipley and Bingley.

• Provide a clear vision and objectives for an area
• Identify realistic regeneration opportunities and interventions, setting out what would be required to make those things happen
• Connect the public, private and third sector to unlock the full development potential of an area
• Attract future investment into a place
• Form the basis for the Council’s regeneration work over the next 20 years
• Make it easier for the Council to bid for funding opportunities
• Evolve over time to respond to new opportunities and unforeseen challenges.

• Predict what will happen in the future
• Guarantee the development to happen
• Replace the need for planning permission
• Prevent development happening outside of the framework

Bradford Council have appointed a specialist team of consultants comprising of WSP, Hawkins Brown Design, Yeme Architects, BNP Paribas and Well North Enterprises.  They will work with the Council and local stakeholders to produce the Development Framework for the city of Bradford.

Throughout the preparation of the Development Framework we want to engage key stakeholders including local businesses and communities using a variety of consultation methods.   This engagement will take place as the project progresses.   Stakeholders will help inform and shape the vision and objectives for the places identified as well as have the opportunity to provide their comments on the proposed development options put forward within the draft Development Framework.