Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
gave priority to Little Germany in this period.
In 1989, the Council accepted that Little Germany
had become 'a major asset in the marketing and
presentation of the district'. However, having encouraged
private sector involvement through grants and carrying
out environmental works, and having completed several
key projects, the LPA reassessed its priorities and
decided to complete existing commitments to public
works but to withdraw from further high-profile activities
in the longer term to encourage the area's self-
sufficiency.
This case shows several features, principally
revolving around problems of large concentrations of
industrial heritage buildings in a small area; of the need
for large grants to make conversions financially viable;
and of the competing demands for limited public funding.
Stone cleaning and paving improvements changed the
area's appearance; although there were some public
protests that the very process of cleaning had 'removed
some of the city's industrial heritage'. Some of the early
work in regenerating confidence, particularly by the local
business association, had little impact as companies
tended to look after their own interests, particularly in the
recession of the late 1980s and 1990s. Property
speculation, forcing prices up and encouraging site
acquisition for financial investment reasons rather than
refurbishment and reuse, also had an adverse impact.
Although it is recognised that regeneration work in
this area has not been completed, attention and finance
has moved elsewhere in the city. New government grant
regimes are targeted elsewhere, as is English Heritage's
partnership scheme for conservation area finance.
Nevertheless, the injection of significant amounts of
public money into this area over a decade has led directly
to visible improvements to buildings and streets; and to
increased occupancy rates by a diversity of new
commercial and residential owners and tenants. The area
is marketed as part of the city's heritage and has its own
cultural attractions.
Note: This case was researched for the EU
Compendium
of Spatial Planning Systems
and draws heavily on
unpublished material from Bradford MBC and English
Heritage. See also Falk (1993) and Tiesdell et al. (1996).
Figure 24.1
Little Germany
conservation area, Bradford.
Source :
Redrawn from
information supplied by
Bradford Metropolitan
Borough Council.
