Councillors have made a dramatic U-turn just weeks before a public inquiry was due to begin into plans for a £20 million leisure complex at Thornbury.

Leeds councillors had been advised to support an application for the Mid Point Leisure Centre, off Dick Lane, which would include a 16-screen cinema complex.

The controversial proposals by Harrogate developers Gregory Properties were due to be considered at a public inquiry beginning on March 3.

But, after a meeting behind closed doors, Leeds planning councillors decided to oppose the complex which would be built on land next to the Phoenix Park Leisure Centre. The inquiry has been postponed with a new date still to be set.

The about turn has been welcomed by Councillor Janet Harper (Lab, Pudsey North) who believes Mid Point would cause major traffic problems.

"I've been pressing the Labour group to do this. It is a U-turn but myself and Coun Thomas Spamer are pleased a way has been found to oppose the scheme," she said.

"Council officers recommended approval at first, which I had to go along with, because they felt we would lose if we refused it and it went to appeal.

"But we have a much stronger case to oppose it now Phoenix Park is going ahead and the Government is discouraging out-of-town developments. The traffic implications would also have been appalling."

Coun Andrew Carter (Con, Pudsey North), who has always opposed the Mid Point scheme, accused the Council of trying to keep the U-turn under wraps.

"They are doing what I wanted all along," he said. He has slated the Council for creating a "dog's breakfast" of the situation.

"There has always been a strong case for opposing this. I hope this isn't a rouse to get Labour councillors off the hook when they failed to support me in objecting to it."

A spokesman for Gregory Properties said: "We will review all the aspects and make a statement when we've been advised."

Bradford Council has objected to the scheme on the grounds of potential major traffic problems.

A Leeds City Council spokesman said it may still support some leisure use on the site.

He said: "The Council's original position was formulated in February 1997. Nearly 12 months have passed, during which time a number of factors have arisen which led the Council to conclude it should review its position."

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