Green light for development at wastewater treatment works

Planning permission has been granted for the transformation of redundant land around the Esholt wastewater treatment works in Bradford into a new industrial and residential development with a focus on sustainability.Bradford City Council has agreed a resolution to grant planning permission relating to 180 acres of land at Esholt Wastewater Treatment Works, where significant reductions in the operational footprint of the site in recent years has resulted in large areas of formerly operational land becoming redundant and unused.The project team submitted a planning application in 2019, following extensive public consultation, to seek approval on a masterplan for a development to repurpose the largely brownfield site.The scheme from Yorkshire Water and sister company Keyland Developments aims to generate economic, social and environmental benefits through employment, sustainable housing and community enhancements.The employment element would comprise 1.1 million sq ft of work spaces to accommodate a mix of industry, with a particular focus on bio-tech businesses and other industries that can make the most of heat, power and water generated by the treatment works to maximise sustainability.The housing would include 150 homes, ranging from one-bedroom maisonettes to five-bedroom detached houses.Esholt also aims to showcase a number of enhancements designed to create a new community connected to nature and with a real and visible relationship with water, with shared recreation spaces as well as sustainable transport routes to encourage walking and cycling through the site.The Esholt team comprises Tate Harmer, an architects’ practice focused on sustainability and natural environments; sustainability consultancy 3 ADAPT; and integrated planning and design consultancy Barton Willmore.