Controversial proposals to build a supermarket on the site of Bingley's arts centre were today branded as 'ludicrous'.

The scheme, which went on display today, is the result of public workshops and meetings aimed at coming up with a focal point at the Jubilee Gardens outside the arts centre.

Another idea is to rip up the gardens and replace them with a car park around the theatre.

Leeds property developers St James Securities will also be showing their ideas. They include replacing the arts centre with a 'high quality food store' which would also incorporate a theatre and parking.

Janet Whitehead, publicity officer for Bingley Amateur Operatic Society which performs at the Main Street building, was outraged. "It's a major theatre for three companies - ourselves, the Gilbert and Sullivan Society and Bingley Little Theatre," she said.

"I'm horrified and I think the whole suggestion of losing the centre is ludicrous. Obviously if a new performance facility is on offer then it would be something we would all be interested in having a say on."

Chairman of Bingley Little Theatre, Robin Martin, said he was 'flabbergasted' that anyone could even come up with the idea of knocking down the centre.

"We lost our main base when the arts centre was built and since then we lease part of the building from Bradford Council and still have five years left to run," he said.

"We perform about eight or nine shows there every year and they're always sold out. Bradford could be losing the Priestley Centre and, culturally, if the arts centre goes as well, it doesn't bode well.

"We would hope there will always be some provision for drama in Bingley."

Last year the Telegraph & Argus reported how environmental groups were keen to preserve the Jubilee Gardens which they said were a major part of the town's heritage and home to wildlife and plants.

Bradford Council sought public views on revamping the centre after £1 million, from the sale of land to pave the way for the relief road, was earmarked for regeneration.

Trader Kay Adams, who runs Kay's Crafts, in Chapel Walk, said she would fight plans for a supermarket.

"I walk through those gardens and ripping them up to replace it with a supermarket is the craziest idea I've ever heard," she said.

"Also, having a supermarket there wouldn't help the problems in Myrtle Walk which desperately needs something doing with it. I'm a regular at Bingley Little Theatre and would be distraught to see them lose their base."

But Better Bingley Campaign chairman Keith Yardley believed a supermarket would be a huge boost for the town.

"It would be a good location and would attract shoppers and link in with shops on that side of Bingley," he said.

Robert Firth, of St James Securities, said he grew up in Bingley and believed residents would welcome the suggestion of a food store. "It's all about bringing people into the heart of the town - it would rub off on the rest of Bingley in a positive way," he said.

The other proposals include:

removing one of the mounds to create pedestrian access

building shops and a caf next to the Buttercross

building shops over the whole area

removing both mounds to make way for a town square.

Councillor David Heseltine (Con, Bingley) said he hoped residents would take the opportunity to have their say on the new schemes.

The designs are displayed at Bingley Library, in Myrtle Walk, during library hours until Saturday, February 8.

Forms will be available inviting opinion which must be returned to Bradford Council by February 17.

T&A opinion