A routine online auction of Bradford Council assets delivered a surprise result this week when a four-acre plot in Thornton sold for more than eight times its guide price.
The semi-rural site off Green Lane — guided at £35,000 — achieved a final hammer price of £286,000, reflecting intense bidder interest in undeveloped land even amid ongoing local government financial pressures.
The land, outlined in red in the auction listing, consists mainly of open grassland with scattered trees and sits on what is believed to be part of the former Bradford sewage works, unused since Yorkshire Water took over the network decades ago. The auction listing noted that, “subject to any necessary consents, the land may be suitable for a number of uses.” The buyer has not been identified.
Second Council Lot Also Exceeds Expectations
Another standout lot was 26 Rupert Street in Keighley — a mid-terraced home devastated by fire in 2010 and left empty for 15 years.
Despite a guide price of £30,000, the property sold for £80,000. The listing warned that the house, which has severe fire damage and had not been internally inspected, was being sold strictly “as seen.”
Crucially, the sale carries a condition: the purchaser must restore the property to a habitable standard within 12 months, or the council has the option to buy it back. This clause aims to prevent long-term dereliction and encourage rapid redevelopment.
Why the Council Is Selling Assets
Both properties were part of a wider group of council-owned assets being sold to meet conditions tied to the government’s “extraordinary financial support” package.
That support allows Bradford Council to borrow to stabilise its budget — but also requires it to raise significant capital by selling off assets and using the proceeds to fund front-line services such as social care.
Other lots originally planned for the same auction, including the former Prince of Wales Park lodge in Bingley, were moved to a later sale scheduled for next month.
Market Reaction & Local Impact
The Thornton plot’s dramatic price jump highlights:
Continued appetite for land — even unconventional or previously industrial plots.
Strong investor interest in redevelopment opportunities tied to council disposals.
A widening gap between guide prices and market demand, especially in Northern property auctions where competitive bidding has become increasingly common.
For councils under financial scrutiny, such results offer a short-term boost. For buyers and developers, they signal a fast-moving market where local knowledge and planning foresight can unlock significant value.