A new affordable housing project is set to emerge on a former parking area adjacent to a swimming facility in Bradford.

This week, Breck Homes received planning consent to construct 20 dwellings on land beside Bowling Pool along Flockton Road, with the requirement that every single property must meet affordable housing criteria.

The upcoming residences will also incorporate energy-efficient features.

Recent ownership and sales

Bradford Council owned the land until selling it to the housing developer at the beginning of last year.

The local authority has disposed of dozens of properties over recent years as it works to address financial pressures.

Planning consent had previously been awarded for residential use in 2015, yet the land has remained undeveloped until now.

Additional proposals nearby

Breck Homes has also put forward plans for 32 additional dwellings on vacant land on the opposite side of the pool and adjacent to Bolling Hall Museum.

No determination has been reached on that application as yet.

Composition of the Flockton Road development

The Flockton Road scheme comprises a variety of properties: four ground-floor one-bedroom maisonettes, four first-floor two-bedroom maisonettes, four two-bedroom houses, six three-bedroom houses and two four-bedroom houses.

The majority of properties will include private outdoor spaces, with an additional shared garden zone.

According to the applicant, the site is currently vacant and unused. It previously received outline planning permission and reserved matters approval for residential development but was never implemented. The development will provide a suitable mix of affordable dwellings to help address the current unmet need for affordable housing in the area. It is anticipated that the majority of the new homes will be occupied by people and young families in active employment, helping to ensure the economically active population can be retained and increase support for existing local facilities.

Committed to affordable provision

The developer is hopeful that Homes England will supply grants for the initiative because it delivers entirely affordable housing.

According to Breck Homes, the schemes will feature a combination of shared ownership and homes for affordable rent. The company is currently in discussion with a number of housing association partners to acquire and manage the units on completion. The developments are expected to commence construction in mid-2026 subject to planning approval.