SIR – I welcome the extensive coverage you have given to the future of the former Bradford & Bingley headquarters.
Certainly this presents a chance to return again to the options and opportunities identified in the Airedale Masterplan.
These include:
* Giving Bingley Main Street two sides again – making it a more traditional shopping street, encouraging the market and other traders.
* A supermarket – certainly this location would be far less damaging to the town than the proposed location at the former Auction Mart site, which would ring Bingley’s death knell for sure.
* A comprehensive redevelopment including a new arts centre, Little Theatre, swimming pool and other facilities.
* Better town centre parking – hopefully free.
I hope this debate continues and that the Council will engage with any new owners.
However, just one word of caution – the current building is privately-owned and is likely to remain so, which limits the Council to its planning role.
We would not be able to dictate to the developer – only persuade. I hope, for Bingley’s sake, we are able to do so.
Councillor Simon Cooke (Con, Bingley Rural), Hallowes Park Road, Cullingworth, Bradford
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