COUNCILLORS have agreed in principle to buy the bombed ruins of the former National Picture Theatre in Hull under a compulsory purchase order.
However, they say the process will only start once they are satisfied a trust hoping to turn the site into a visitor attraction and education centre has the necessary resources to deliver the project.
The National Civilian World War Two Memorial Trust has spent eight years campaigning to redevelop the privately-owned site in Beverley Road.
Trust chairman Alan Canvess said: "This is a positive step forward. I am aware some councillors have doubts about what the trust hopes to do with the building but that just adds to my enthusiasm for getting it done."
Today's council planning committee heard that English Heritage had offered a £50,000 contribution towards to the cost of restoring the former cinema's façade.
Craig McHugh, English Heritage's principal advisor on heritage at risk, said: "We believe this will be a fitting tribute to the people of Hull who lost their lives during the Second World War."
