The statue of one of Bradford's most famous sons is likely to be moved during the construction of a planned £200 million shopping centre in the heart of the city.

But it depends on Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott approving the removal of the famous statue of William Edward Forster because of its listed status.

A full planning application submitted to Bradford Council this week for the planned Broadway shopping complex outlines proposals to lift the statue near St Peter's House down and put it in storage or temporarily relocate it during the three year construction of the scheme.

Relocation to another public place would have to be agreed with Bradford Council.

Bradford area planning panel will be told, when it considers the application in January, that highly specialised contractors would be appointed to lift the statue, making sure it was fully supported throughout the delicate operation.

The panel would have to send the part of the application dealing with the statue to Mr Prescott for a final decision because of its status.

William Edward Forster, a Bradford MP, spearheaded the 1870 Education Act making education compulsory for all children.

He adopted Bradford as his native city and for 25 years represented it in Parliament.

The statue of the Victorian reformer was last moved 22 yards across Forster Square about 12 years ago.

Neil Johnson, associate director of International Architects Benoy - designers of the Broadway shopping scheme - said the statue would finish up on the new, imposing Forster Square when the work was complete.

"At present, Forster is in the middle of a sea of traffic. He will be in the newly created Forster Square and will be facing St Peter's House," he added.

The Forster Square Development Partnership has already received outline planning permission for the flagship scheme and the new application deals with materials and an amendment to the scheme to include offices.

Compulsory purchase orders have already been agreed for about 80 properties - including Petergate and parts of Broadway and Cheapside - which will be demolished to make way for the three vast shopping malls. There will be a 1,400 space car park, replacing the 360 parking spaces currently available in the area.

Impressive views of the state-of-the-art complex have been included in the planning application and will be seen by members of the area panel when the consider it.

The new office space is above the development and a Debenhams department store stands on the ring road and Well Street.

Harold Robinson, of the development partnership, said a large number of high- street names were interested in moving into the development.

The application shows the development has glass mall roofs and natural stone and terracotta cladding.