Sponsored by
Final curtain at last for Bradford's Odeon: See inside the crumbling landmark
CAMPAIGNERS battling to save Bradford's historic Odeon cinema were handed a crushing blow last night as planning bosses voted in favour of proposals to demolish the iconic building.
See inside the derelict Bradford Odeon
The former cinema and theatre, where the Beatles performed in the 1960s, will now be transformed into a mixed-use development comprising a hotel, bars and cafs.
More than 700 Bradfordians had made formal objections to plans from developers Langtree Artisan to demolish the building's distinctive twin tower structures and several opponents of the scheme spoke passionately about their desire to save it from the wrecking ball.
But, following a 10-hour meeting, members of Bradford Council's regulatory and appeals committee voted 5-2 in favour of demolition and 4-3 in favour of the redevelopment scheme, which will be dubbed New Victoria Place.
Developers say the proposed scheme, which still has to be given approval by the Government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport, will bring more than 1,350 jobs to the city.
The decision leaves in tatters the hopes of campaigners who have been fighting for more than five years against the proposals.
After the meeting, Simon Peters, director of Langtree Artisan called the decision "fantastic news for the regeneration of Bradford".
"The project team has worked hard to create a viable scheme that is deliverable, iconic and beneficial to all Bradfordians." If given approval by the Secretary of State, the scheme could lend a much needed boost to the Council's beleaguered regeneration programme which has stalled in the face of the recession.
Mr Peters said he hoped it would prove a "catalyst" for regeneration work to begin elsewhere in the city.
Comment on the decision: Log in and have your say below. Your comments will appear instantly.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Three-inch blanket of snow heading our way today
- Alan Shearer in list of favourites for Leeds and England jobs: Latest odds
- Barnsley’s Keith Hill invokes Fawlty Towers over link with Leeds job
- McCormack feels United search can be narrowed down
- Redfearn throws down gauntlet as queue builds at Elland Road
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
