Government will not call in Bradford planning bid (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Government will not call in Bradford planning bid

5:58pm Friday 30th October 2009

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Plans to redevelop the site of Bradford’s former Odeon cinema have cleared a major hurdle.

Planning permission was granted by Bradford Council for a £40 million replacement on the key site a month ago, subject to final approval by the Secretary of State.

Communities Secretary John Denham had 21 days within which to “call-in” the narrow decision made by the Council’s regulatory and appeals committee.

Now the Telegraph & Argus has learned that Mr Denham has confirmed he will not intervene in the decision.

Full planning permission will now be granted once a legal agreement setting out stringent conditions has been drawn up.

David Rolinson, chairman of planning consultants Spawforths, said: “Our clients, Langtree Artisan and Yorkshire Forward, have been advised that the Secretary of State will not be intervening in the determination of the New Victoria Place planning application.

“Consequently, we will continue to address and meet the conditions laid out by the Council’s regulatory and appeals committee in their original ruling.”

The New Victoria Place development includes offices, flats, a hotel and a restaurant, and would see the distinctive 1930s building demolished.

But a legal agreement designed to prevent the Odeon being knocked down without the development going ahead must be signed.

It will state that the developer must have the money and tenants in place to ensure a replacement will be built, before any demolition can begin.

Councillor John Pennington, a supporter of the Bradford Odeon Rescue Group, told the T&A: “People from Borg will think this is an example of another stitch up.

“I am afraid it’s another example of Government departments not listening to the people.”

He added: “The Odeon is not finished until the bulldozers arrive.”

A demonstration is due to take place in Centenary Square at lunchtime tomorrow. It appears to have been organised by Bradford University students, but has been backed by Borg and Bradford Civic Society.

A poster publicising the demo states: “We are not zombies. Stop the unsustainable gentrification and desolation of Bradford city centre.”

In addition, two men staged a roof-top demonstration on the Odeon early yesterday and unfurled a Save the Odeon banner.

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