Bradford | Odeon - New Victoria Place | Prop

[Mezzo]

Can't believe what I've just read:

Originally Posted by T&A

Bradford councillors' decision backed

10:26pm Tuesday 13th October 2009
By Jo Winrow » A free vote on the subject of the former Odeon building saw the majority of councillors last night commending the “professional approach” of the committee that decided to replace it.
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Councillor David Ward put forward a motion calling on councillors to reject a decision made by the regulatory and appeals committee.
Five members of the panel agreed to knock down the Odeon building and four members voted for the plans to replace it. Instead a majority of councillors at last night’s meeting sided with a Conservative amendment to the original motion, which praised the committee’s approach in following the “correct and proper” procedures.

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.u...eon_commended/

I know David Ward's motion wouldn't have had any effect on the R&A decision, but it would have been a good opportunity for council members to at least recognise the overwhelming public support the Odeon has and vote accordingly (or not).
We'd at least have got to see exactly where our esteemed representatives stood on the issue.
As it stands, the Tory amendment turned the whole thing into a complete waste of time.
So much for local democracy... again.

[Baht'at]

Originally Posted by Mezzo

Can't believe what I've just read:



http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.u...eon_commended/

I know David Ward's motion wouldn't have had any effect on the R&A decision, but it would have been a good opportunity for council members to at least recognise the overwhelming public support the Odeon has and vote accordingly (or not).
We'd at least have got to see exactly where our esteemed representatives stood on the issue.
As it stands, the Tory amendment turned the whole thing into a complete waste of time.
So much for local democracy... again.

Professional - that I take it means accepting bribes and inducements in the usual manner, it wouldn't do for that to stop otherwise councillors would have to survive on their meagre expenses. I wonder if they have a system of sharing tips like some restaurants to spread the good fortune around.

[The Odeon Crusader]

A huge well done to the two lads behind this little caper in advance of Saturday's public demonstration...

[*-City Of Bradford-*]

Originally Posted by The Odeon Crusader

A huge well done to the two lads behind this little caper in advance of Saturday's public demonstration...

[BradfordBorn&Bred]

Originally Posted by Baht'at

Professional - that I take it means accepting bribes and inducements in the usual manner, it wouldn't do for that to stop otherwise councillors would have to survive on their meagre expenses. I wonder if they have a system of sharing tips like some restaurants to spread the good fortune around.

Baht'at - I'm interested in these accusations of bribes. What bribes are you referring to exactly and what is your source? Indeed if they have been accepting bribes then they should be brought to book and I say lets have the evidence before us and have those responsible dealt with accordingly!!!

With reference to the students who managed to get onto the Odeon roof. Well done to them both and I look forward to seeing how the protest goes this weekend

[positive bradford]

just so you know, neither were students
(not that it makes any difference of course)
the next few days are certainly going to be interesting!

[BradfordBorn&Bred]

Originally Posted by positive bradford

just so you know, neither were students
(not that it makes any difference of course)
the next few days are certainly going to be interesting!

Does anyone know who they were? I understand it had nothing to do with BORG.

Thanks

[*-City Of Bradford-*]

This seems quite interesting:

http://northern-indymedia.org/articles/274

Here's the video:

http://northern-indymedia.org/videos/277

Two people have scaled the old Odeon building in Bradford in a bid to halt the demolition of the historic building and engage the community ahead of a protest this Saturday.

This morning at 5am two local people climbed inside the Odeon in a campaign to save the building. A banner reading 'Save the Odeon' was unfurled at 7.30am to engage the local community with the issue of undemocratic descision making within Bradford Council.

The Odeon building is an intrinsic part of Bradford's heritage yet the council have decided to approve its demolition. This is despite the desolation seen in Bradford city centre, a key example is the Westfield development which has been left as a gaping hole in the heart of the city. The Bradford populous have little faith in the gentrification of the cityscape and came out in force to 'Hug the Odeon' in 2007.

The banner drop today comes only days before a protest in Centenary Square this Saturday at 12noon. Because the council have made their decision on the fate of the Odeon, it seems that only the Secretary of State can halt the demolition. The meeting which made the decision was considered by many to be a farce, the councillors told that they may face legal action from the regional development agency, Yorkshire Forward. It was based on this information that the panel voted to demolish the building, yet Yorkshire Forward then siad that they had no intention of sueing Bradford Council over their decision.

One of the protestors said "They are destroying a really beautiful building when we have no money in the city and it's cheaper to keep the Odeon rather than build something ugly and pointless."

The other said "I'm doing this in solidarity who wants their politicians and local councillors to represent them and not business."

The campaigners hope that it may be complex to remove the banner as health and safety red tape will mean that checks must be carried out before workers can get into the Odeon and onto the roof to take it down. However a van had arrived at 9.30am which may contain equipment to remove the sign.

[*-City Of Bradford-*]

Double Post.

[*-City Of Bradford-*]

Apparantly the 'Save the Odeon' banner has now been taken down, yet another waste of taxpayers money. It wasn't exactly doing anyone harm, they're going to demolish it anyway.

[Rob]

It certainly caused quite a stir on Radio Leeds yesterday morning, including the a live report from outside the site.

I still find it amazing that this strength of public feeling towards the old Odeon still doesn't budge the decision of the councillors on the planning board. I can perhaps understand the planning officers making their recommendation from an economic point of view, but the councillors who make the decision are meant to be neutrally representing the best interests of the city and its people, and I would say that the people have spoken loud and clear that they feel quite strongly about this.

[*-City Of Bradford-*]

Originally Posted by Rob

It certainly caused quite a stir on Radio Leeds yesterday morning

What time was it on this morning?

[BradfordBorn&Bred]

Originally Posted by Rob

It certainly caused quite a stir on Radio Leeds yesterday morning, including the a live report from outside the site.

I still find it amazing that this strength of public feeling towards the old Odeon still doesn't budge the decision of the councillors on the planning board. I can perhaps understand the planning officers making their recommendation from an economic point of view, but the councillors who make the decision are meant to be neutrally representing the best interests of the city and its people, and I would say that the people have spoken loud and clear that they feel quite strongly about this.

The problem they face Rob is the fact Yorkshire Forward et al have submitted two planning applications that do not contravene any planning policies. Therefore there are no substantial grounds to base a refusal on.

We also need to be mindful of the fact there is support in the community for the demolition of the Odeon. The Bradford district accounts for 500,000 people. It is evident there is a large section of the Bradford community who do not support its demolition but nobody can claim it is the majority view of the Bradford populous.

It’s not so black and white.

[emma72]

Originally Posted by BradfordBorn&Bred

We also need to be mindful of the fact there is support in the community for the demolition of the Odeon. The Bradford district accounts for 500,000 people. It is evident there is a large section of the Bradford community who do not support its demolition but nobody can claim it is the majority view of the Bradford populous.

It’s not so black and white.

Although there may be support for the demolition, where is the evidence you talk about? over 2000 letters of objection and 1 of support. Given that this is such a contentious and widely publicised issue in Bradford, then were there any real supporters they would surely write letters of support!

[The Odeon Crusader]

Originally Posted by BradfordBorn&Bred

The problem they face Rob is the fact Yorkshire Forward et al have submitted two planning applications that do not contravene any planning policies. Therefore there are no substantial grounds to base a refusal on.

We also need to be mindful of the fact there is support in the community for the demolition of the Odeon. The Bradford district accounts for 500,000 people. It is evident there is a large section of the Bradford community who do not support its demolition but nobody can claim it is the majority view of the Bradford populous.

It’s not so black and white.

The two planning applications were both set to be rejected... that was until a legal guy took the R&A Committee into a room and suggested that Yorkshire Forward could sue the Council. The committee were nobbled, and they made a very poor and unpopular decision that was not based on planning grounds, but on unfounded fear. I say unfounded because Yorkshire Forward have since said they never would have sued the Council.

Please, please, please direct us towards this support for the Odeon's demolition. After making such a bold statement, one hopes you can quantify it.

Unless you can do so I will continue to accept that the outspoken views against demolition are also the majority view...

[*-City Of Bradford-*]

Originally Posted by The Odeon Crusader

The two planning applications were both set to be rejected... that was until a legal guy took the R&A Committee into a room and suggested that Yorkshire Forward could sue the Council. The committee were nobbled, and they made a very poor and unpopular decision that was not based on planning grounds, but on unfounded fear. I say unfounded because Yorkshire Forward have since said they never would have sued the Council.

Please, please, please direct us towards this support for the Odeon's demolition. After making such a bold statement, one hopes you can quantify it.

Unless you can do so I will continue to accept that the outspoken views against demolition are also the majority view...

Well, I think we will find this some very bad news:

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.

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.u...on_demolition/

Is this the end then? Or will there be a appeal by BORG against the Decision made by the planners?

[*-City Of Bradford-*]

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...77297&view=all

[The Odeon Crusader]

Originally Posted by *-City Of Bradford-*

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...77297&view=all

Tezza - you've gone up in my estimations!!! Good lad...

[Val Verde]

So was there much of a protest in Bradford at all today about the lack of regeneration in the city including the demolition of the Odeon cinema?

[*-City Of Bradford-*]

Originally Posted by Val Verde

So was there much of a protest in Bradford at all today about the lack of regeneration in the city including the demolition of the Odeon cinema?

A picture is worth a thousand words:

Images credit: Mr.G.Etchells, Silent Hill Photography.











http://www.facebook.com/event.php?ei...6277297&ref=mf

I didn't go for a number of reason. But anyway, it seemed big enough to make Beeb's Online news:

Demo over cinema development plan



A demonstration has been held by campaigners desperate to save Bradford's Odeon from being demolished.

Last month councillors approved a £40m redevelopment of the site which will include a 100-bed hotel, bars, cafes and leisure facilities.

The Bradford Odeon Rescue Group (Borg) have been fighting to save the 1930s building which they say is an iconic landmark in the city.

The demonstration was held at Centenary Square on Saturday.

Plans for the development on Princes Way were revised after a public consultation last year.

The project was scaled down, with its value reduced from £55m to £40m and it is expected to bring about 1,400 jobs to the city.

Bradford council said before it could progress, the development had to be formally approved by the government.

Kate Welham, a member of Borg, said Saturday's demonstration had attracted interest from a variety of people.

"There is this idea that there's only a certain age group that want to save the Odeon but that's not the case.

"There's a lot of young people who are keen to save it and on Saturday there's a mixture of people from civic trusts, students and random teenagers who have seen the campaign group on Facebook."

Ms Welham said she was hopeful campaigners could still do something to stop the development from going ahead.

"The Odeon is a unique building and has so much history attached to it.

"We'll be getting a petition together on Saturday to do all we can to try and fight the demolition."

The Odeon, formerly known as the New Victoria, was opened in 1930.

It was the largest indoor concert venue in the north of England and became the first choice of singers and performers on tour including The Beatles and the Rolling Stones.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bradford/8333878.stm