Brit School North arts college plan given go-ahead

Plans for the north of England's first Brit School-inspired performing arts college have been approved.

Inspired by the world-famous arts academy in London which produced talents such as Adele and Tom Holland, Brit North is expected to bring more than 550 students and staff into the city centre.

The college will be housed on the site of the former Jacob's Well council building, which is currently a car park, and aims to open by 2028.

The project, which has been approved by Bradford Council, is spearheaded by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) who are owners and organisers of the music showcase, the Brit Awards.

The authority said the school would boost the city centre's regeneration and "increase footfall and activity within the area".

According to the planning application, the building will have a theatre, set construction workshop, a multi-use games area, music performance spaces and a TV studio set as well as classrooms and college facilities, said the the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The free-to-attend college was first proposed in 2023 with the Department for Education later approving the plans.

Following the approval by the council, BPI chief executive Dr Jo Twist said Brit North was "a cultural and educational initiative" but also "an important regeneration project for Bradford".

"It successfully brings together significant investment from the private sector and central government, working in partnership with regional and local leaders, with an ambition to deliver for the city and the young people of Bradford and West Yorkshire," she added.

"We look forward to celebrating more milestones in the coming months."

Mark Casci, head of policy and representation at West Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said the city was the "perfect location" for the college.

"Bradford's year as UK City of Culture demonstrated conclusively that the city is a significant national player as a cultural epicentre and is a region brimming with talent and creativity.

"Bradford is therefore the perfect location for Brit School North and will give our young people a significant springboard to performing arts greatness.

"This in turn will act as a magnet for talented people all over the UK who will hone their genius in the city and further enhance its prospects."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.