Our columnist this week is 16-year-old Hazel Robinson, a pupil of the Girls' Grammar School, Bradford.

Let's face it. The planners of Bradford have been wrecking this city for years, either through lack of vision or lack of consideration for the effect their actions will have on the city's citizens.

For example, there used to be a Town Hall Square before Centenary Square. A row of shops dating back to Victorian times stood there with a covered arcade walkway for when the weather was not at its best.

In the Sixties the planners, in their infinite wisdom, allowed them to be demolished and replaced by Provincial House, a building totally out of proportion with its surroundings, which dwarfed the beautiful City Hall. This ugly building has now in its turn been obliterated to be replaced by what in my family has become known as The Banana', a curved row of units featuring cafs, bars and restaurants which after more than two years of existence are still not fully occupied. Fantastic! What we really need is high-quality retail units.

When I heard about the plans to knock down the magistrates court and police station I thought for a moment that they had come to their senses, but no. They plan on using the land for a water feature. Confused? Yes, I think we all are. What possible need is there for such a thing in central Bradford? The water feature outside the magistrates court is currently used as a large litter bin by the public and looks and often smells awful, especially in summer. And don't get me started on the proposed lengthening of the canal.

The great demolition of Broadway seems also to have got us nowhere. Admittedly most of the concrete monstrosities are gone but they have been gone for months and nothing seems to be happening. There are some good views of the few remaining decent buildings, but that's all. Why, you ask? Simple, the plans haven't yet been settled. Something tells me that our magnificent new shops won't be open and ready to rival those of Leeds, York and Sheffield by 2007.

Now the old Odeon, next to the Alhambra Theatre. There, I thought to myself, is a building worth saving. The architecture is elegant, it reflects the Alhambra and has endless development possibilities. Apparently not. The planners are intent on pulling it down, all of it. Not even the facade will remain. There was a point where keeping the towers was discussed but now, because of an asbestos risk' the whole lot must be destroyed. Do they not realise that it can be removed safely, if indeed there is asbestos in there?

It is planned that the Odeon will be replaced by a large, cube-shaped building made of black glass, which is really not so far off being the same as the police station opposite. Yes, the one that was deemed outdated and is probably awaiting the bulldozers.

Wait a minute! Exactly. What are they thinking? Why do we need more offices and apartments? Why do we need another hotel? Who exactly do they expect to fill them with? Do they not realise that until we have decent shops no-one is coming? I can't remember the exact number of petitions I have signed to save the Odeon, just like my parents signed petitions to save the old Kirkgate Market, but it seems its fate has been sealed for a long time, whether the people of Bradford want it to stay or not.