A CINEMA-LOVER has blamed the threatened demise of York's Odeon on "intransigence and brinksmanship" by council planners.

James Bettley, of Acomb, York, was criticising City of York Council's refusal of permission for the removal of the old Odeon sign from outside the building in Blossom Street.

He claimed the owners had shown commendable faith in the building, and wanted to carry out a major refurbishment of the cinema - along with the rest of the Odeon circuit across the country - but had been thwarted by the authority.

Mr Bettley said: "I wrote to the planning department, warning of the dangers of throwing the baby out with the bathwater, but it appears brinksmanship has prevailed.

"The owners would have been happy for the old sign to have been stored, or perhaps donated to a museum."

Planning councillors went against officers' recommendations last autumn by turning down the application, because they believed the sign - the only original one left in the country - was an architectural feature and an integral part of the building.

Mr Bettley said he had known and enjoyed the cinema for some 50 years, loved the distinctive architecture and style and would hate to see it close.

He believed that if it was disposed of, the sale might have much to do with the finances of the Odeon's present parent company - "but a little compromise on York's part would have been conducive to the Odeon's survival.

"In a nutshell, Odeon wanted to refurbish their York cinema some time ago, in their own way and style, albeit with some modifications to appease the council, but that wasn't good enough. York will end up with the cinema facilities it deserves."

But council leader Steve Galloway said the authority had to work within the constraints of conservation legislation, and had made a legitimate decision to refuse permission for the sign's removal.

He said he would be sceptical if the refusal of permission was the main reason for the threatened closure of the cinema, rather than the sale price that the building might realise if sold for redevelopment.

He added that if another application was submitted for the refurbishment of the foyer and cinema, without the loss of the sign, he would be very surprised if it was turned down.

Updated: 09:04 Thursday, January 29, 2004