Bradford's £320m Westfield development delayed another year

Developer Westfield has put back construction of a £320m retail and leisure complex in Bradford city centre by another year.

Demolition work on the site began in 2004 as part of a major regeneration plan for the centre of Bradford.

But construction work on the Broadway scheme never started, and Westfield has now called a halt to the project until next year because of the recession.

In a statement, the Australian developer said: "Given the serious dislocations going on at present in global financial markets we will not be commencing construction on any major projects, including Bradford, during 2009.

"However, we continue to work on pre-development, pre-letting and project planning so that we are in a position to recommence when the environment stabilises." 

There is growing anger in Bradford about the derelict site in the middle of the city. Previously, city councillors had hinted at beginning proceedings to take the site back from Westfield if construction did not start in 2009, according to the Telegraph and Argus.