Bradford: Plan for new rental homes aimed at young families

The proposed homes will be aimed at renters

Plans have been submitted to build 52 rental homes in Bradford in a bid to meet demand from young families for affordable properties.

The homes would be built on land near Chevet Mount in Allerton if given the go-ahead by Bradford Council.

They would include 29 two-bedroom properties and 23 three-bedroom houses.

The applicant said the development would "unlock the much-needed delivery of high-quality purpose-built and designed rental homes for Bradford".

A document submitted as part of the application from Victorguard, which also runs care homes in West Yorkshire, said it was "specifically targeted" at renters.

It stated: "We have made a conscious decision not to deliver standardised 3/4/5-bedroom houses targeted at the for sale market, which are largely unaffordable for local residents.

"Instead, we intend to deliver rental homes for Bradford's single-family housing market, where there is a distinct lack of supply and rapidly increasing demand for new homes.

"The current higher interest rate environment for mortgages is only adding to greater tenant demand within the rental sector."

According to property portal Zoopla, the increase in the cost of renting in Bradford was among the highest in the UK between 2020 and 2023.

In a letter to residents in the area, Victorguard said it was their intention "to make all the properties available for people with young families and young people trying to get on the housing ladder".

As part of the development, located about three miles from Bradford city centre, Victorguard would also be "investing substantially" in a highways upgrade.

The neighbourhood consultation on the plans will run until 15 April, the council said.