Agency challenged to improve cinema site before park opens

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, Bradford Council Conservative Group Leader, challenged the regional development agency to take action over the city centre landmark.

Despite a fierce campaign to save the building, the former cinema has been earmarked for demolition to make way for a hotel, bars and cafs.

Councillor Hawkesworth fears that in its current state, the building will detract from Bradford's new 24.4m City Park, which is due to open next year and will include a 4,200 square metre mirror pool.

Councillor Hawkesworth said: "I am long on record as saying I believe the Odeon – or its towers at the very least – can and should be saved. But what we cannot have is it being allowed to remain exposed in its current state when the City Park opens in around 12 months from now.

"The Odeon cinema was a wonderful building in its hey day and I, for one, believe that many good times could lie ahead for it. But, if it is going to take a significant period of time for improvement work to begin, then I believe Yorkshire Forward, which owns the building, should examine options for improving the appearance of the building, perhaps including the erection of a drape of some sort between the towers.

"I believe the City Park will become a hugely welcome resource for local residents, and an attraction for visitors.

"However, we cannot risk the damaging sight of the Odeon overshadowing its impact when many thousands of people come to Bradford next summer to witness the completion of the first stage of the City Park.

"Yorkshire Forward must turn its attention to this issue before it gets too late."

Plans to tear down the building met fierce opposition and campaigners have been fighting to save it for more than five years.

Jan Anderson, executive director of environment for Yorkshire Forward, said: "Since gaining planning permission for the New Victoria Place development in September 2009, redevelopment of the site has unfortunately been delayed as a result of the economic downturn. However, we take our responsibilities for health and safety regarding the building very seriously.

"We have been in discussions with our development partner Langtree Artisan and with the council as we consider temporary cladding which is in keeping with Bradford's high quality vision for the city centre. We fully aim to address this situation before the official opening of City Park."

In March, Bradford Council's major development manager John Eyles said the council's regulatory and appeals committee had resolved to grant planning permission for the new development and conservation area consent for demolition of the former Odeon cinema building.

He added that before planning permission could be granted it was necessary for the developer to enter into a Section 106 legal agreement that would prevent any demolition before contracts were agreed on replacement buildings.

A Bradford Council spokesman said yesterday: "We are still in the final negotiations of the Section 106 agreement. Planning permission cannot and will not be given until we get this."

Bingley councillor John Pennington, said: "The building looks phenomenal even in the state it is in so what could it look like if it had huge glass fronts between the two towers? It would be absolutely stunning and the City Park would be reflected in the glass."