Regeneration plan for Bradford includes 3,500 new homes

The former Odeon building in Bradford could be used for offices, flats and leisure under the plans

Plans to regenerate Bradford could see 3,500 new homes built in the city centre over the next 15 years.

The council's executive has approved a development plan that also recommends the former Odeon cinema should be used for offices, flats and leisure.

A report put to councillors said the aim was to "stimulate regeneration" while protecting the city's "built heritage".

The proposals will now go out to public consultation.

'Protect green areas'

Councillor Val Slater said: "It's at a very early stage, so what's in this document are our aspirations for the city centre.

"There's a long way to go to realise the plan."

The majority of the new homes would be built in the Goitside and Little Germany areas of the city.

Ms Slater said: "It is an awful lot (of new housing), but as part of the consultation we've done so far... people have indicated that we should be focussing on brownfield sites first and we should be trying to protect the outer green areas."

The Odeon opened as the New Victoria cinema and theatre in 1930 and closed in 2000.

Plans to demolish the building were scrapped in September after the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), which owns the building, terminated an agreement with developers Langtree Artisan.

Several ideas for the future of the building have been put forward since then, including turning it into a cultural arts centre or a music venue.

Under the council's new proposals, any development should retain the existing building or elements of it.