Bradford's city centre magistrates court could be demolished to make way for a city centre park.

And a brand new "star" building could be built next to the existing Crown Court to house the relocated magistrates court.

The Government's Department of Constitutional affairs today said it was in early discussions with Bradford Centre Regeneration - the company spearheading the rebirth of the city - on relocating the court.

The land where the magistrates court stands is earmarked as park land in the city centre design guide, which has just gone out for public consultation.

It is based on the practical elements of the visionary city centre masterplan drawn up by international architect Will Alsop.

Alsop's masterplan saw a city centre set in a park, a lake next to City Hall and an innovative business forest.

The design guide has the site currently occupied by the magistrates courts turned over to park land and lists a magistrates court as a possibility for a "star" building for the city centre, requiring it to be to put out to competition to attract world quality architecture.

Possible sites for the a new magistrates courts are still in early discussions, but one front-runner is believed to be the prime site at Exchange Court, next to the awardwinning Crown Court complex near the Victoria Hotel.

Bradford Council's executive member for regeneration Councillor Simon Cooke said: "Things are at a very early stage but we are working with the magistrates courts, court service and Bradford Centre Regeneration over relocation to a new site.

"We are talking about a time scale of possibly twoand-a-half to three years, and we are looking at the possibility of the Exchange Court site.

"It is an immensely important development site and anything which goes on it must be the highest quality you can get. It is a critical site."

A design brief was drawn up several years ago for the Council-owned Exchange Court site with planners considering a top-class mixed-use development.

The ownership of the magistrates court building and land was transferred to the Department of Constitutional Affairs from the Council under new national requirements last year.

Aspokesman for the Department of Constitutional Affairs confirmed they were in discussions about the future of the court but were at an early stage and could not comment further.

The land at Exchange Court is owned by the Council and worth millions of pounds. A number of developers have expressed an interest in it.

Bradford Centre Regeneration has already bought the Tyrls police station close to the court with a view to ultimately taking possession of the site and developing it as part of the urban park mapped out by Will Alsop.

The company will seek a short term tenant in March when the police move out to new headquarters in Nelson Street.

Marc Cole BCR operations director said: "We are considering how we deliver the master plan and obviously this forms part of that consideration."

However, Councillor Stanley King (Con, Heaton) , chairman of the Council's regulatory and appeal committee which deals with all major planning applications said: "Personally I like the present courts. They are modern and dignified and they add something to the cityscape.

"We have not received anything yet about this but any proposals would have to be examined minutely to ensure they came up to our expectations."

The magistrates court cost £900,000 to develop and was officially opened in July 1972 by the then Lord Chancellor Lord Hailsham.

The building, with its eight courts, replaced two courts in City Hall and a number of other makeshift venues.