6:00am Wednesday 16th September 2009
By Jo Winrow
A decision on the fate of Bradford’s defunct Odeon cinema will be made next week in the midst of more than 1,300 objections to the building’s demolition and its subsequent £40 million replacement.
Members of Bradford Council’s regulatory and appeals committee will have the say on whether it should be knocked down and replaced by Langtree Artisan’s vision for the site. Planners are recommending both be passed.
The redevelopment designs would need to be referred to the Government for final approval.
The meeting at 10.30 in City Hall on Wednesday will determine both conservation area consent to demolish the building and planning permission for a mixed-use New Victoria Place development of four buildings which would provide office space, apartments, a hotel and a restaurant.
In a report to the committee, planners say: “It has been demonstrated by the applicants that neither the re-use of the former Odeon building, nor the retention of the towers and part facade within a scheme are viable.”
As well as Bradford Odeon Rescue Group, a number of organisations have also objected to the loss of the 1930s building, including the Council for British Archaeology, the Twentieth Century Society, The Victorian Society, The Theatres Trust and Bradford Civic Society.
But English Heritage has been “persuaded that a case can now be made for the demolition of the towers and facade” following additional information on the condition of the building, the costs of repair and the viability of these options.
The report also highlights that an economic appraisal of options that retain the structure forecast potential losses of nearly £14 million. And that the cost of repairing the structure would reach about £6 million.
If granted, the planning permission would include a legal agreement which would see the developer contributing £176,000 towards affordable housing, £17,000 for recreation space and £37,000 towards education facilities.
Simon Peters, director of Langtree Artisan, said: “We’re obviously encouraged by the planning officers’ decision to recommend New Victoria Place for approval at next week’s meeting and we look forward to presenting the evolved scheme to the committee members.”
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/trade_directory/