Curtain goes up on bid to convert cinema into flats
THE redevelopment of an historic former cinema has been given the green light.
Blueprints for the Hurstwood Holdings proposal to redevelop the former Heritage Arcade and adjacent buildings, at 23-27 Bacup Road, Rawtenstall were revealed last February.
At Tuesday’s Rossendale council development control committee, planners enthusiastically backed the old Picture House’s partial demolition and redevelopment into 42 two-bed apartments.
Among three objections were the loss of existing businesses, jobs and entertainment venues with affected buildings let to The Ugly Duckling pub and Revival sports bar. There were two letters of support.
Planning manager Mike Atherton said the former cinema building was in “poor condition” and the application would be two to four storeys in scale, and included parking for 58 cars.
He confirmed that county council highways had approved the quantity of parking for the town centre location, near the town’s bus station.
Planning agent Michael Gilbert, of Peter Brett Associates, told the meeting the “high-quality, new residential development” would provide modern accommodation and support the vitality of the town centre for many years.
He added: “It really does represent a golden opportunity for the council to work with a landowner on a gateway site - adjacent to its flagship Spinning Point project.”
Coun Patrick Marriott told the meeting: “I have many fond memories of the site operating as a cinema in my youth, but times change.
“That part of the town has been in need of regeneration for some time.
“I welcome these proposals and if the development does come forward hopefully it will spur further regeneration or refurbishment work along the road.”
Addressing one objection over the height of the building, Coun Terry Haslam-Jones said he had worked at Longholme Mill - just behind the former 1920s cinema - when he was a young man and said that there were four storeys in the main part of that building.
He added: “It’s likely to be much lower than Longholme Mill was.
“We have seen in Manchester what good quality accommodation can do for the town centre.
“We know [Rawtenstall’s] Queen’s [Arms] Hotel is going to be apartments as well, and people living in the town centre can only be of benefit to our town.”
Coun Eaton said: “It looks like this is an excellent scheme.”
The application was approved.