As detailed in the Yorkshire Post last week, the Broad Street scheme will no longer boast any apartments thanks to the crisis in the building industry. Originally there were to have been more than 100 flats.

Calderdale's planning committee has approved revised plans on the condition that developer Miller Gregory Halifax Ltd incorporates renewable energy sources, CCTV and a drop-off point for the 100-bed hotel.

Geoffrey Wallace (Ind, Mixenden and Illingworth), said: "My main concern is the security arrangements for the plaza. I don't want it turned into a hooligans' playground. There is enough of that in Calderdale. I specifically want CCTV included into plans."

The former Netto supermarket and The Star pub, at the corner of Broad Street and Orange Street, will be demolished.

Outline approval was given last year for three buildings containing a nine-screen multiscreen cinema, bowling alley, bingo hall, shops, restaurant, flats and multi-storey car park for 478 vehicles.

Planning chairman Coun Martin Peel said: "This is one of the most exciting developments that has happened to Halifax town centre. We want a town centre to be proud of and this will only add to that.

"There are already steps being made for money to be spent on CCTV and this development will need advice from police in relation to addressing crime."

It is understood that Calderdale Council is investigating whether to transfer employees from Northgate House into offices at Broad Street and the land sold for redevelopment possibly for a shopping mall.

Some residents of Albion Court, opposite the Broad Street site, have objected to the plans.

Bob Metcalf (Lab, Town), who represented them, said: "This hotel is very close to a large number of residents already having to put up with noise from the Acapulco nightclub. It is also two storeys higher than the proposed office space."

Graham Connell, the applicant's agent, said wedding functions and parties would be rare.

The council initially asked Trinity Developments to build shops and a cinema at Broad Street in 1995 but the scheme fell through when the firm collapsed. It is hoped that work will begin on the much-delayed scheme next year.