7:01pm Monday 27th July 2009
By Jo Winrow
Revised plans to transform the site of Bradford’s Odeon cinema were submitted to planners yesterday.
Developer Langtree Artisan has reduced the scale of its New Victoria Place proposal by a third in response to concerns over the development’s size.
But the planning documents, which need to be verified by Bradford Council planners, are not likely to be available for public viewing until the end of this week. Last Friday the Telegraph & Argus visited a public exhibition of the plans.
It was revealed that the number of apartments has been cut from 172 to 36 and the original height of 13 storeys has been reduced to eight – sloping down to six.
The revisions have also seen the cost reduced from £55 million to £40 million.
Langtree Artisan also revealed tenants would need to be in place before construction begins, such as an operator for the planned 100-bed hotel.
The scheme includes office space, apartments, a hotel, bars, cafes and community leisure facilities.
Langtree Artisan and building owners Yorkshire Forward worked with English Heritage and Bradford Centre Regeneration on the revised plans and have taken on board comments made during consultation last year, and expect the development to bring more than 1,350 jobs to Bradford.
The former Odeon building, which has been empty since 2000, would need to be demolished to make way for the scheme.
English Heritage has now supported the revised plans and is satisfied the benefits outweigh the loss of the Odeon’s iconic towers.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/trade_directory/