News / Arts
Whiteladies Picture House cinema plan backed
Councillors have once again approved plans to redevelop the derelict Whiteladies Picture House into a cinema and flats.
The plans brought forward by the listed building’s owners and the Everyman group had been given approval in June.
A judicial review into the decision had forced the council to look at the plans again.
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Last night, councillors voted almost unanimously to approve the project, which thanks to the pressure put on by campaigners from the Whiteladies Picture House (WPH) group had three new conditions applied which council officers said would ensure the building could only be developed as a cinema.
David Fells, from the WPH group, had written an open letter to councillors, criticising the fact that the plans were being “rushed through”.
He added the Bristol City Council had not “properly taken on board” the findings of the judicial review which had said the council’s handling of the planning application was unlawful.
But councillors lined up to back the plans and the new conditions.
Cllr Mark Wright said “no facts on the ground had changed”, adding: “This is the only way to have a viable cinema in this building. The three conditions added since June are an improvement on the overall application.”
Cllr Olly Mead meanwhile said the agreement to a 25-year lease for Everyman satisfied him that the building could not become a gym or other such leisure use – a key fear highlighted by Fells.
But there was one abstention among councillors, six of whom voted in favour of the plan, with Cllr Sue Milestone saying the plans meant “the irreversible destruction” of the historic ballroom. She added the designs of for a modern foyer were “inappropriate” to the historic nature of the building.
Meanwhile, councillors admitted the third cinema screen that will be installed within the building would not be accessible for disabled people.
But the building owners, and supporters such as councillors Simon Cook and Christian Martin, lined up to praise the large public support they had for their plans.
Cllr Martin said the residents nearby “remain convinced that this is the right application for the Whiteladies Picture House”.
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