Plans for £24m city park approved

The park is expected to attract more than 2m visitors a year

Plans have been approved for the creation of a £24.4m park in the centre of Bradford.

The six-acre City Park is to include one of the UK's largest water features, public art displays and relaxation and play areas.

Bradford Council, which has given the project the go-ahead, said it predicted the park would bring an extra £80m a year to the local economy.

Construction work on the site is expected to start in autumn.

The park, which will be next to City Hall, is jointly funded by Bradford Council, Yorkshire Forward, the Homes and Communities Agency and the Regional Transport Board.

It is expected to attract about 2.2m visitors a year and host large-scale events for up to 10,000 people, such as concerts, international markets and sporting contests.

The water feature will be in the form of a mirror pool with a series of fountains.

'Landscape for investment'

Bradford Council's executive member for regeneration and economy, Councillor Adrian Naylor, said: "Today's announcement marks a key stage in Bradford's regeneration and demonstrates the public sector commitment to investing in the city's future.

"The park has been designed to bring jobs and prosperity to Bradford.

"It will attract visitors and investors and raise land and property values.

"The project will enhance the overall image of the city and help create a landscape for investment in the city centre."

In 2007, plans for a £30m urban park and water feature in the city centre were approved by the council.

The project had to be withdrawn after the authority failed in its bid for £24.5m of lottery funding.