City regeneration body disbanded

Part of the Forster Square site in Bradford which has been demolished

Ian Greenwood, of the Labour group, said people were expecting more

The company behind a £3bn regeneration of Bradford city centre has been disbanded, it has been confirmed.

Bradford City Regeneration (BCR) was set up in 2003 and worked in conjunction with Yorkshire Forward and Bradford city council.

BCR aimed to deliver projects such as a city centre science park, a shopping centre and a canalside village.

A BCR spokesman declined to comment, saying the council, which has also not commented, was dealing with the matter.

David Ward, a Lib Dem councillor for Bradford said: "BCR are in effect going to be disbanded and the running of the regeneration programme will be back where it should be and that is in the hands of the council."

BCR's MAIN PROJECTS WERE:

The Bowl - A landmark water feature for Bradford city centre

The Channel - Reintroducing Bradford canal into the city centre

The Market - A number of residential, retail and leisure projects including the new Westfield shopping centre

The Valley - A city centre science park, urban squares, waterside locations and a European style boulevard

Of the plans mentioned most are yet to come to fruition.

Ian Greenwood, of Bradford's Labour group, said: "I wouldn't say that it has failed but I don't believe that it succeeded particularly.

"I think people would have expected far more physical regeneration, far more tower cranes and far more buildings springing up in the time BCR has existed."

The company was set up with an intended 20-year lifespan but is disbanding after only six years.

The council will now take over responsibility for any regeneration schemes in the city.