PEOPLE have just a few days left to comment on plans that could speed up the regeneration of Bradford city centre.

Under new proposals by Bradford Council, planning restrictions on streets blighted by empty stores will be loosened in a bid to attract more businesses.

A fifth of city centre units are vacant, and the Council says the scheme could help the city “move away from a reliance on retail.”

The Local Development Order will allow empty stores to be converted into shops, restaurants and cafes, bars and “professional services” like estate agents and banks without the need for owners to submit a full planning application. The order would last for three years and apply to areas blighted by empty shops, including Manor Row, Darley Street, North Parade, Rawson Square Kirkgate, Bank Street, Market Street and Ivegate.

However, even if the plans are approved, businesses would still have to submit planning applications if they want to make any drastic changes to the building, such as installing new shop fronts.

The Council’s public consultation on the plans end on Monday.

To comment on the plans, visit https://bradford.moderngov.co.uk/mgConsultationdisplay.aspx?Id=164