Multi-millionaire Eddie Healey's plans for a massive leisure centre on Vicar Lane car park have been snubbed by the new developers.

They have returned to a previous, smaller scheme proposed by J F Finnegan, which faces into the city.

Both Mr Healey's firm - the Stadium Group - and Finnegans dropped out after their schemes had received planning consent, which is still valid.

Today, Paul Cross, managing director of J J Gallagher, which has stepped in as the latest would-be developer, said the firm wanted to adopt the more modest Finnegan scheme.

He said it had submitted a new application to Bradford Council because there were small amendments which might need fresh planning consent.

The Vicar Lane saga began in 1996 when Morrisons Developments Ltd announced plans for a £40 million leisure centre on the car park. That move was gazumped by Finnegans, which dropped out in December 1998 because of funding problems.

Last April, Eddie Healey's company won the development bid for a major leisure scheme, but also stood down last autumn. The Council was left with a non-returnable £1 million bond.

His scheme would have faced away from the city centre and included a 100-bedroom family hotel.

But it was criticised by leader of the Council's Liberal Democrat group Councillor Jeanette Sunderland who said the design and materials were like "tin city".

Mr Cross said his company had continued links with Finnegans since last spring, and the company was still expected to be its contractor.

Mr Cross said their solicitors were dealing with contracts for a multi-screen cinema operator, health and fitness centre and family entertainment centre.

"We are hopeful of being able to go ahead. There have been a number of false starts," he said.

Regeneration member of the Council's Executive Committee Councillor Dave Green said: "We are highly delighted that progress is being made."

He said both of the original schemes had planning consent and a decision on the amended scheme was expected by the beginning of March. The Finnegan scheme included a two-storey leisure complex, about the same size as the Kirkgate Centre, with the front largely glazed.

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