Picturedrome cinema conversion gets thumbs-down in Bognor

Jonathan Parsons looked at the proposals by the Bognor Pier Company, which owns the building in Canada Grove, Bognor Regis, but does not run the cinema.

It wanted to change the use of the property by converting the main cinema into three flats, enlarging the existing flat and rebuilding the fire escape.

In his report, Mr Parsons wrote: "The proposal results in the closure of the main cinema, through residential development, that serves Bognor Regis and the surrounding area.

"Although the second cinema is shown to be retained, it is unclear how this would be viable in the long term given its smaller size.

"Without detailed financial information on viability of the existing cinema and the long-term viability of a smaller second cinema, it is considered that there would be a loss of an important community facility serving the residents of the area."

He added the loss of a useable cinema would be contrary to a government planning policy statement for town centres published in March 2005.

The Bognor Pier Company also required listed building consent to bring its plan to fruition as the building is Grade II listed.

But Mr Parsons said: "The proposal to convert the Picturedrome Cinema to three residential units and enlarge an existing flat is considered to be destructive of the special interest of a listed building.

"The proposal for the sub-division of the main auditorium hall would destroy the sense of space in this interior room and remove a number of key features specified within the listing of the building."

Stan Jonas, chairman of local interest group Brighter Bognor, said: "The listing of the building was to preserve part of the interior and to convert it into flats would have destroyed that.

"I'm pleased because the local cinema does a great service to Bognor Regis.

"It's a very historic place."

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