'Think again over Odeon' (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

'Think again over Odeon'

9:07am Tuesday 2nd December 2008 in News By Will Kilner

The Odeon building Buy this photo »

The Theatres Trust has waded into the debate over Bradford’s former Odeon cinema by lodging an official objection to plans for the building’s demolition.

But the Trust admitted it was “unlikely” that the 1930s building could return to use as a theatre or cinema because Bradford is already well served by the Alhambra, St George’s Hall, the Playhouse (formerly the Priestley) and National Media Museum.

In its response to Bradford Council’s consultation, the Trust urged the Council to ensure that the building is surplus to cultural and community requirements before considering demolition. It argued that the former Odeon building would support educational projects, conferences, exhibitions and community events, as well as provide a valuable social meeting place.

The Council is accepting feedback on the £55 million New Victoria Place proposal, a scheme put forward by Langtree Artisan and Yorkshire Forward that would see the creation of the city’s first Grade A offices, apartments and a new hotel.

Mike Price, planning and architecture advisor for the Trust, said: “The Trust objects to the application for the demolition on the basis that a potentially valuable cultural facility will be lost and is capable of being repaired as part of any regeneration scheme.

“The benefits of incorporating the Odeon into the possible regeneration of the area with a community or cultural use would in the long term be more beneficial as its focus for the cultural quarter.”

Mr Price said the replacement would harm the Conservation Area because of its adverse size, scale and bulk.

The objection comes hot on the heels of a response from English Heritage, which urged refusal.

Meanwhile, the Council has cleared up confusion over the length of the consultation after claims the deadline was unclear.

A Council spokesman said: “The 21-day notice period is the minimum time for consultation on planning applications which all local authorities have to adhere to. Comments received after this period will still be acknowledged right up to the date when the application is considered by the Regulatory and Appeals Committee.”

e-mail: will.kilner@telegraphandargus.co.uk

Hopkins is put on the spot

The former Odeon will be a hot topic of conversation today at a full meeting of Bradford Council when a councillor tables a series of questions about the building.

Councillor David Ward, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat group, is set to put questions to the leader of Bradford Council, Councillor Kris Hopkins.

Coun Ward will demand that the Council fulfils its commitment for everyone to have a say on the plans in view of what he described as “the current unreliability” of the Council’s Access to Planning system, which has been rejecting online representations. He will also ask Coun Hopkins to comment on the Arcadis consultants’ report, which he said put the cost of reinstating the building to a sound structure at £1,055,000.

He will ask if the Bradford Odeon Rescue Group will be allowed to address the Council’s Regulatory and Appeal Committee. Coun Ward said: “I hope to get some answers.”