CONSERVATIONISTS hope a Huddersfield theatre can escape the wrecking ball.

Developer Kirkgate Residence Ltd has asked Kirklees Council for permission to convert the former Palace Theatre into student flats.

The building, on the site of an earlier theatre which hosted Harry Houdini, is scheduled to be demolished, partly to allow the nearby Kingsgate Centre to expand.

But the theatre could now be saved.

Kirkgate Residence wants to convert the building into 23 flats to accommodate 87 students.

The redevelopment would restore some of the building’s original features – including the tower lantern.

Huddersfield Civic Society chairman Chris Marsden told the Examiner yesterday that his group was happy with the plan.

“The Palace Theatre is a building of interest to many people because of its past.

“The proposal would improve the building’s appearance and bring life to that area of the town,” he said.

“It would be a good thing to have people living there because that side of the town centre is being slightly isolated by the Kingsgate Centre.

“The tower lantern is to be restored and lit at night which will improve the appearance of the building.”

But Mr Marsden added the civic society wasn’t happy with all parts of the development proposal.

“There are some minor architectural points that we’re disappointed about,” he said.

“But the plan will improve the streetscape and bring people to live in the town centre so it gets a thumbs-up from us.”

Kirkgate Residence submitted a planning application to convert the building into student flats, complete with a gym and laundry.

The Kirkgate building would have no parking spaces, but would include a bicycle store for 50 vehicles. One full-time and four part-time staff would be employed at the flats.

Public consultation on the proposal runs until January 17, 2012 with a decision due by March 16, 2012.

Council planners gave permission in 2008 for the theatre to be demolished – along with Oldgate House and Wildcats nightclub – to make way for the Kingsgate 2 expansion.

However, the work was put on hold because of the recession. Last month councillors agreed to give W D Kingsgate another three years to build the expansion, which would include eight new shops and 190 extra parking spaces.

The first 1,270-capacity Palace Theatre opened in 1909 at the junction of Kirkgate and Venn Street and hosted famous American escapologist Houdini two years later in 1911.

Legendary comedian George Formby Snr and boxing champion Jack Johnson, were among the acts to perform at the venue in its early years.

But the Palace burnt down in 1936. However, it was rebuilt and re-opened the following year.

However, the venue closed in 1954 as the spread of television made live performances less popular.

The building became the Palace Casino in 1962 and the Palace Bingo Hall in 1978.

The Chicago Rock Cafe was opened at the site in 1998. The last use was as a nightclub called Society.