Planning Approved For Wibsey Community Café In The Heart Of Local Park

Bradford City Council has approved planning for a new café and workshop space for Bradford Organic Community Services in the heart of Wibsey Community Gardens.

Community-led architects Architecture Unknown have designed a space that will support the already thriving local resource. Set to be among one of the first community-constructed buildings in Bradford, the new space will be a zero-carbon, modular design system called “WikiHouse”.

WikiHouse is to construction what IKEA is to furniture – an unconventional, modular building system that allows everyone from skilled tradespeople to first-time volunteers to bring the build to life.

Wibsey Community Gardens are run by Bradford Organic Community Services (BOCS) and are currently home to a series of growing spaces, seating areas, and ‘ScrapMagic’ – a well-loved creative reuse shop housed in a repurposed cabin. Based in Manningham, the team also manage a used-paint upcycling operation and provide opportunities for outdoor special needs support classes in the community gardens.

The new plans will see the enhancement of the existing provision, aimed at improving both the social and practical activities taking place in the park.

Architecture Unknown has designed a building nestled in the site; the blended corrugated metal and timber cladding will echo the garden buildings and practical requirements of the charity. The centre promises lots of natural light and potential for solar panels in the future.

Inside the public can expect a flexible café and workshop zone, perfect to host everything from quiet toddler mornings and vibrant candle-making workshops to community feasts on bonfire night.

The existing ScrapMagic cabin will be replaced with a new unit – donated by Portakabin – and reimagined internally to include both a retail space and an admin office. Wibsey Community Gardens will also have new picnic benches and outdoor seating area.

Charlie Butterwick, Director of Architecture Unknown, said: “This is a community-build in the truest sense. We’ve worked hand-in-hand with the charity to understand what their volunteers and the local community wanted and needed from the space.

“By using the accessible WikiHouse system, we’re embedding both ownership and craftsmanship into the very fabric of the project. This isn’t just a building – it’s a natural continuation of BOCS’s strong culture of growing, making and sharing. The innovative construction process will empower Wibsey Community Gardens to be a truly community-led centre, built by and for local people.”

The project is supported by the UK Government’s Community Ownership Fund; an example of how national investment can empower local communities to shape their own spaces.

Charlie added: “This project really shines a light on the vital work of Bradford Organic Communities Service, who provide much needed support for disadvantaged local people, and it is great to see the support they have received from the local national and national government.”

Jen White from BOCS Ltd added: “Our charity is thrilled to receive planning permission and be able to start work with our WikiHouse build. This will provide warm indoor seated areas for all our communities making our lovely gardens and refreshments available for everyone all year round.”

Architecture Unknown is a Manchester-based practice founded by Charlie Butterwick and Daniel Kelso.

Architecture Unknown has a strong track record in innovative community-led design, having previously delivered the 2nd Whalley Range Scout Hut, and more recently, the award-winning Peel Park Pavilion in Salford using the WikiHouse system. Peel Park Community Centre won the Best Community Centre Project 2025 (Northern England) for BUILD magazine earlier this year and has been shortlisted for the Structural Timber Awards 2025.