The owners of Bradford’s former Odeon cinema would seek to realise a scheme that would retain the prominent features of the building if the current proposal to demolish and redevelop the site fell through.

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) now has responsibility for the Odeon site and is expected to sign an agreement with developer Langtree within the next few weeks.

That will automatically trigger the planning permission process and Langtree will then have nine months to come up with a scheme that is proved to be viable and can be financed to put tenants into the building.

If they fail to do that, the HCA has revealed it will seek a commercially viable option to be secured that retains the prominent features of the building.

Meanwhile, architect George Clarke, from Channel Four’s Restoration Man show, has tweeted that he “100 per cent supports the Save@bradfordodeon campaign”.

“It is a beautiful building, Bradford Council, please don’t do this, it is a big mistake,” he tweeted on Friday.

However, campaigners have repeatedly failed to have the Odeon declared a listed building.

Last year, English Heritage rejected an application to have it listed as a scheduled monument.

The HCA’s letter, dated April 12, to former Bradford Council leader Ian Greenwood, and released under a Freedom of Information request, said: “Should the developer be unable to deliver the scheme as procured, it is the Agency’s intention to maintain the close involvement of the Council.

“The ultimate way forward will take account of all the factors inherited by the HCA and attempt to achieve a sustainable and viable outcome that meets the regenerative objectives of the Council and the people of Bradford.

“In this context, and only in this context, if a commercially viable option can be secured that retains the prominent features of the building, the HCA will seek to do this.”

Bingley Councillor John Pennington (Con), who is part of Bradford’s Odeon Rescue Group, said the HCA was realising the strength of public feeling with regards to the Odeon and its towers, which he believed should house the Central Library and district archives.

“The towers could become almost a national landmark,” he said.

“I am hopeful that one day HCA will allow another developer to look at a scheme for the Odeon. If that can be done by giving the Odeon to the Council so they can progress it, I would welcome that.”

Coun Dave Green (Lab), executive member for regeneration, said the letter stated what he had been saying for years.

“We have always said as a group that the Labour party position will be if there is a viable alternative scheme that could be delivered, then we would look to support that,” he said.

“We would ideally want a scheme that retains as much as is sustainable and viable.”