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New plans are a foot to convert the cinema into flats and a gym:
Plans to convert the ABC Whiteladies into 5 flats and a gym.
I know the building has become bit of an eyesore and something needs to be done. However, there is an independent cinema operator who is is extremely serious on returning it to cinema use which would be brilliant. The restrictive covenant that prevents this use can probably be overcome. The council must realise that this would be far the most popular outcome so please object to the new plans online above. Remember listied building consent wise the "best use for a building is that for which it is originally designed" anything else will destroy the character and meaning of the building.
Also or for just a quick participation and objection sign the online petition.
http://epetition.bristol.public-i.tv/epetition_core/community/sign/1828
Done
Humm seems like signing this petition may be counter productive. See the note below from a Councillor who is pro the cinema;
I'm in close contact with the WL Cinema people - I've met Dave Fells (the
driving force) on about half a dozen occasions, including again last week.
I'm supporting them, but I've also been trying to guide them on the planning
issue.
Objections that say "We don't want a gym/flats - we want a cinema" have
little/no impact. In fact, there is an outside danger that they would give
the applicant grounds for an appeal if rejected - "it's clear that the
councillors were swayed by this non-material campaign". Graham's e-mail
below puts this into focus - the Council may know that people would prefer a
cinema, but it would be *illegal* to make a planning decision on this basis
and taxpayers' money would be spent on the developers' legal bills!
Possible alternative uses are *not* a material consideration.
Cllr Anthony Negus already has a proper planning objection in on heritage
issues and I'm trying to find 15 mins to pop in one on this, parking impact,
sustainability, passive frontages and economic viability of a huge gym. I
have advised Dave that he needs to refocus his supporters and the petition
around this. I understand their position, but they run a high risk of
misfiring and even shooting themselves in the foot!
They've been to the Forum before. I am not averse to them coming again, but
only if it's focused on getting objections and resident input that will have
a positive impact. I am fearful that the Council is going to end up being
blamed for a 'dreadful decision' if the pro-cinema campaign fails to direct
their fire.
^ a very lucid note.
Unfortunately most people are so naive in their understanding of planning and property law that these kinds of yoghurt-knitting campaigns rarely work.
When Woolworths closed in our local town, up pops a petition to the Town Council to prevent Iceland taking on the property, and instead have some "community workshops" or "Independent shopping parade" or some such other hippy day-dreaming. The property is owned by a pension fund, it has planning permission for use as A1 shops. The brutal truth is that it has absolutely nothing to do with the town council or the local population what the landlord does there as long as it meets the planning permission the property has been granted.
The plain fact is that if there are those that want a particular use for a building they should make an offer to the owner to buy or lease the building for that use. If the offer isnt as good as for an alternative use then it's up to the local community to take that economic cost on the chin and bid higher, not for the pension funds that hold these properties on behalf of the rest of us to take a hit.
On a wet bank holiday it will probably go on fire anyway.