Measures to create 'tidy city space' at former NCP car park site are approved

Chris Young
·2-min read
Demolition work on the NCP continues <i>(Image: T&A)</i>
Demolition work on the NCP continues (Image: T&A)

AS the last sections of the former NCP car park in Bradford city centre are pulled down, the green spaces and tree planting that will replace the concrete structure have been approved.

The multi storey car park is being demolished as part of a scheme to create a more “welcoming” entrance to the city from Bradford Interchange.

When the structure is cleared from the site there will be a new tree lined concourse, with new green space and street furniture.

There will even be bat and bird boxes to try to boost city centre biodiversity.

Demolition work continues (Image: T&A)

This programme of green works was a condition of the original plans being approved, and this Spring details of the planting and biodiversity works were submitted.

It showed there would be hedgerows and different tree species.

The planned works in the new concourse (Image: WYCA)

Referring to the bat boxes, the application said some would be “suitable for small crevice dwelling species, such as common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus and some suitable for brown long-eared bats Plecotus auratus.”

These measures have now been approved.

Bradford Council’s Countryside and Rights of Way Service responded to the plans saying: “From a biodiversity perspective we consider the landscape plan to be good, favouring native species and more ecologically valuable habitats alongside some non-native planting and landscaping chosen for interest in the urban setting.

Demolition work at the NCP car park (Image: T&A)

“We are very pleased to see that some of the existing young mature trees will be retained.”

And Landscape Architect Andrew Mindham said: “The mix of ornamental and native species would strike an appropriate balance between biodiversity value and the creation of a tidy city space.”

The concourse will lead to the newly pedestrianised Hall Ings, an area that will also be transformed with tree planting and an extended Norfolk Gardens to create an urban park.

Demolition work continues (Image: T&A)

The work is being funded by the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund, and is one of a range of measures to improve the experience of pedestrians and cyclists in the city centre.

Although the bus station at Bradford Interchange is currently closed for safety reasons, with its future still uncertain, over 6,000 people use the rail station every day.

It is hoped the new concourse will provide a much better welcome to the city centre, with passengers walking out into a green, urban park rather than immediately coming face to face with a busy road.

On Tuesday large cranes remained at the site, bringing down the final two sides of the Bradford Council owned building.

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