Facts about the Odeon building

SIR - In response to recent letters by the Bradford Odeon Rescue Group I felt it would be useful to clear up a few points surrounding the former Odeon building.

The Odeon cinema has remained closed for the last five years and with the development of multiplex cinemas around the city, seems unlikely ever to be put to this use again.

For five years the building has remained vacant and it is only with the active marketing of the site that developer interest has been attracted.

An open brief, with no guidelines as to the retention or demolition of the building, was given to teams of developers and architects to give them the scope to come up with imaginative, high-quality and deliverable projects.

I am surprised to see so many letters suggesting the refurbishment option was never given to developers as the competition very clearly gave developers an open brief. A copy of this document was provided to members of the Bradford Odeon Rescue Group.

Our only restrictions for the site are that the development provides the quality of architecture this city and its residents deserve and that the proposal must be financially viable and fit for purpose.

Everyone in the city will have their chance to have a say in the future of the former Odeon building when the finalists are announced in the autumn and put forward for public consultation.

In making the decision we will take the wishes of the majority fully into account and this important part of the city's regeneration will move forward.

We have always been open to discuss the future of the former Odeon building with interested parties and remain so. To this end, we will be in contact soon with the Bradford Odeon Rescue Group to again listen to their concerns and provide them with an update on the development's progress.

As requested we have also issued this group with copies of the technical reports that identify the significant presence of asbestos within the existing building.

The regeneration of the city is a long-term project and I hope that as the residents of Bradford look around the city centre and see the changes happening, they will share my enthusiasm and belief in its future.

Marc Cole, Director of Operations, Bradford Centre Regeneration.

Selfish French

SIR - In his letter (T&A, June 7) Peter Wilson suggests the French 'no' is delicious irony for us Eurosceptics, who for 30 years had regarded the French as Gallic bogeymen.

There is absolutely nothing ironic about the French vote, they have just behaved in their historic natural manner going back hundreds of years - me, me, me!

Gary Lorriman, North Walk, Harden.

Puppet on a string

SIR - What a buffoon Tony Blair is, he really is a puppet on a string - Bush's puppet.

At the G8 Summit in Scotland he is allowing thousands of Bush's US security guards. That just shows contempt for Britain's armed forces which are far superior to any US forces - more professional and disciplined.

I bet all serving and former Black Watch soldiers will just love him to bits.

What about the Special Air Service and the Special Boat Service?

I ought to warn the Scots to steer clear of the G8 Summit if they can because if anyone riots they may be killed by "friendly fire" - the Yanks excel at that.

N Brown, Peterborough Place, Undercliffe.

No deterrent

SIR - With reference to the article "Asylum seeker guilty of fraud" (T&A, June 2), this is yet another maddening example of the punishment not fitting the crime.

The bench chairman stated that "social security fraud was a very serious matter" yet he handed down only a 90-hour community punishment order for the theft of £5,500.

Take away the derisory £75 prosecution costs and Abdullah Hassan has earned the princely sum of £60.28 per punishment hour.

I thought the courts were meant to deter others committing similar offences not encourage them.

Phil Lightbody, Plumpton Lea, Wrose.