City centre park plans approved

The park would cover 375,000 sq ft from Jacob's Well

Plans for an urban park and water feature in the centre of Bradford have been given the go-ahead.

The £30m Park at the Heart scheme will transform an area the size of more than three football pitches, incorporating the city's Centenary Square.

It was given planning consent by Bradford Council's regulatory and appeals committee on Wednesday.

The council is now submitting a bid for £24.5m from the Big Lottery Fund towards the cost of the project.

The park will feature a mirror pool, fountains, trees, a children's play area, art displays and cafes.

The council is hoping to win funding from the Big Lottery Fund Living Landmarks scheme. A final shortlist will be revealed some time after 16 October.

The park was originally designed to feature a massive lake but that was scaled down in February after a round of public consultation.

At the time Andrew Mallinson, regeneration spokesman for Bradford Council, said: "We've listened to people and this new design is much softer for the city centre and something that can make it into a nicer environment.

"We are very proud of how far we've got so far. We just need to get the people of Bradford to get behind us and this bid and make sure it happens."