Government ministers have given approval for England’s housing and regeneration agency to examine the fine print of an agreement to develop the former Odeon site in Bradford, a new report says.

The Government’s Homes and Community Agency (HCA) has received approval from ministers to take over the stewardship of all of Yorkshire Forward’s residual land and property next month.

The regional development agency, like all RDAs in the country, is being closed in April and means Yorkshire Forward is no longer in a position to enter into new legal agreements.

It was up to Yorkshire Forward to complete its obligations and sign a Section 106 legal agreement to give the go-ahead to developer Langtree Artisan Ltd to press ahead with the £40 million New Victoria Place scheme.

The developer signed the document in January and it is believed Yorkshire Forward was stalling on the agreement amid uncertainty of what would become of its assets.

The transfer of responsibility for the Odeon to the HCA means discussions over the completion of the Section 106 agreement can resume.

An update on the transfer will be given by Bradford Council planning officers at a meeting of the Regulatory and Appeals Committee at City Hall on Thursday.

The New Victoria Place development includes a hotel, restaurants and 36 flats with 80 underground car park spaces.

Read more on this story in today's T&A