A parcel of open land designated for 75 residential properties forms part of a batch of assets Bradford Council intends to offload as it seeks to restore its financial position.
The local authority is currently disposing of numerous properties ranging from tracts of land to commercial structures and parking facilities, all in pursuit of long-term fiscal stability.
The most recent catalogue of assets designated for sale encompasses the freehold ownership of a car dealership located within the city and a potential construction location in Keighley.
The authority’s decision to dispose of holdings follows Government approval in 2024 to extend exceptional financial assistance to Bradford Council, a measure implemented to prevent the authority from declaring insolvency.
This financial backing not only authorised the council to secure loans but also permitted the sale of assets to finance routine operational expenditure.
Standard financial regulations ordinarily restrict local authorities to reinvesting proceeds from property disposals into capital schemes, prohibiting such funds from being allocated towards essential services such as adult social care or highway maintenance.
Recently approved disposals have been signed off by Stephen Mair, the council’s Interim Strategic Director for Corporate Resources who also serves as the statutory Section 151 officer.
Specific sale values for these holdings have not yet been established.
Among the most substantial parcels being released is a tract situated near Hainworth Wood Road, Hainworth Road and Gingerbread Clough in Keighley.
This particular parcel features in Bradford’s Draft Local Plan as a site with capacity to accommodate approximately 75 dwellings.
Additional properties scheduled for disposal include an industrial facility on Hillam Road in Bradford, currently occupied by Surefreight International Limited under a 99-year lease that commenced in 1979.
A motor trade premises situated on the same road is let to Beckside 4 x 4 Limited.
Furthermore, 3.36 acres of pastoral land at North Dene Road in Silsden has received approval for disposal.
A portion of this holding remains tenanted to an agricultural enterprise and features in the council’s Draft Local Plan as a potential residential development area.
The Hainworth Road parcel spans roughly 9.28 acres (equivalent to 3.76 hectares) and operates under two separate grazing licence agreements.
The location carries an allocation within the Bradford area Draft Local Plan for development comprising approximately 75 residential units.
The Gingerbread Clough section comprises a wooded shelter belt positioned along a partially underground watercourse and is classified as open space intended for preservation within any future development scheme.
Elected members have until the following day, a Friday, to formally refer any of these proposals for additional scrutiny.