5. The Strategy

This chapter sets out the strategy for the regeneration of Bradley.

The key elements of the strategy are as follows:

1. Redeveloping the vacant and derelict Riverside Mills site to provide a range of new housing and to improve the environmental quality and the connectivity and movement through this part of Bradley.
2. Carrying out selective demolition of properties in order to reduce the number of vacant and poor quality homes and to enable the assembly of land which will be redeveloped to provide new types of housing and open space.
3. Improving the quality and image of the existing housing stock through block improvements along key routes.
4. Creating an area of accessible green space / urban park (0.87ha) adjacent to Walverden Water.
5. Improving access to Walverden Water and enhancing its setting as it flows through the new green space and the redeveloped Riverside Mills site.
6. Encouraging environment improvements along the key strategic routes in the area – Leeds Road (A560) and Scotland Road (A682), in order to improve its image and help support the local businesses.
7. Safeguarding long term employment opportunities in well used business premises.
8. Improving existing community facilities around the Leeds Road ‘hub’; primarily the Nelson Youth and Community Centre and Hey Street Park.
9. Ensuring good design is integral to any new development.
10. Working with local residents, the Neighbourhood Management team and other agencies to address issues which affect the quality of life for residents in Bradley.

The sites shown in the ‘ key proposals ’ schematic plan overleaf are the key sites that will have the biggest effect on the regeneration and improvement of the Bradley area.

The diagram shows that the Bradley AAP will create a real ‘step change’ within the central core of the Bradley Priority Action Area stretching from Riverside Mill along Walverden Water towards Throstle Nest Mill and Leeds Road. This is the area where the greatest level of change and intervention is proposed.

These changes are complemented and supported by environmental and townscape improvements along the key gateway routes of Leeds Road (A56) and Scotland Road (A682), and routes fronting onto the new development sites. It is anticipated that focusing investment in these areas will create a catalyst for the regeneration of the wider area, providing confidence to encourage further private investment.

These changes will also be complemented by the retention of key employment areas ensuring a sustainable, balanced community for the future.