A multi-million pound international peace centre may be built in the heart of Bradford under a new plan, it was revealed today.

The £14 million landmark complex - which would include a five-star hotel and state-of-the-art conference and leisure facilities - would be the first of its type in the world and would attract visitors from all over the globe.

If the planning application, which has to go before Bradford Council in October is approved, Bradford University's Department of Peace Studies is expected to move into the centre on the site of the former Alexandra Hotel near the Alhambra Theatre.

Bradford Council is expected to authorise the setting up of a limited company this week, and a board of seven directors representing the Council, Bradford University, Bradford Peace Museum and the university's Commonwealth Library would manage the International Peace Study Limited.

A cash bid has already been made to the Europe and 50 per cent of the cash would have to come from the private sector and developers are already in talks with an unnamed major hotel chain.

If everything goes according to plan the application would go to council in October and work could start by next April with the Centre being completed by the end of the year 2000.

Ironically, the Council had earmarked the site for the North of England War Museum two years ago. Bradford was shortlisted but lost out to Salford.

Architects designing the complex say the large areas of glass and other top quality materials will give it a "timeless air of peace." It will house major international exhibitions and create up to 100 new jobs.

The scheme has taken a major step forward after independent consultants DTZ Pieda Limited concluded it would be viable.

Bradford-based architect practice Halliday Clark has been appointed and the scheme is being backed by Bradford-based Leeds London Holdings which is involved in a number of major schemes in the city.

The centre would be a prestige building with a large area of glass around the circular hotel, artistic rendering and areas of steel. The museum would include technology enabling visitors to explore the concepts of conflict and peaceful answers.

Project manager Michael Rollins said he had "every confidence" that all the cash would be forthcoming.

The Peace Museum has no permanent home, but is developing gallery and workshop space in Piece Hall Yard. The museum is staging its first major exhibition at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.

Mr Rollins, who is with the Leda Group which specialises in mixed and public sector schemes, said he believed the development would be a major asset to the city.

He said the top quality hotel would be "budget" priced and the 200-space conference centre would have state-of-the-art facilities.

Although the development will have a central theme of peace, it will be open to other organisations and companies.

Leisure facilities - including a swimming pool - could also be provided.

The Reverend Dr Clive Barrett, chairman of the management committee of the Peace Museum said: "It will be a landmark project on an international scale. It will put Bradford into the national and international news for all the right reasons. "And Carol Rank who runs the Peace Museum added: "It would provide us with a home base within an active peace making centre which would be very exciting both for the museum and the City. The centre will also bring the prospect of international conferences coming to Bradford."

But the prime Council-owned site has a history of smashed dreams and was originally part of the grandiose £200 million leisure, shopping and hotel scheme planned by developers 3D which never materialised.

Only the £10 million Aldermanbury office block survived, built by another developer York-based Huntington's.

Today Gerry Sutcliffe Bradford South MP who was Council leader when the original West End scheme said: "It sounds good for the city and I hope it succeeds but there have been a lot of disappointments here."

And Chairman of the Council's regeneration committee, Councillor Dave Green, said: "The feasibility study supports the creation of the International Peace Centre as part of a commercial development.

"We are now actively working with various partners to progress the scheme. It would provide both a prestigious seat of learning and a museum of international standing.

The Reverend Geoff Reid of the Touchstone Methodist Centre which has a faith to faith worker, said: "Bradford was famous for its peace studies and should build on its strength.

"It seems a much better use for the site than the Imperial War Museum. We would welcome it as a very positive thing."

Councillor Green said the land was likely to be the council's contribution to the scheme.

But leader of the councils Liberal Democrat group Councillor Jeanette Sunderland said: "I think the council needs to be very sure it hasn't another use for the money as it is a very valuable piece of land."

She said it was a very worthy project however and would be a boost to other businesses.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.