A former cinema that has been closed for several years could be converted into a place of worship. A previous proposal for Stafford Cinema could have seen it transformed into a music venue, but the plans failed to come to fruition.
Last year the Newport Road venue – which first opened its doors to film fans in 1936 – was once again put up for sale. It had been put up for auction in 2022, a year after closing for good.
Now a change of use application has come forward from the Redeemed Christian Church of God. If approved by Stafford Borough Council the building would become a place of worship, with community facilities where groups could meet.
A design and access statement submitted as part of the application said: “It is not considered that the ‘loss’ of a cinema would be of a detriment to the town centre of the local community. It is clear that the opening of the new Odeon Cinema some 95m to the north means that the local community still have access to a cinema.
“It is also important to note that the application building has been vacant for a number of years and due to the presence of the Odeon Cinema, it is extremely unlikely that it would be a viable option to reopen. The proposal would secure the re-use of a prominent vacant building within the town centre, in so doing significantly enhance the appearance of the site.
“The proposed development would not involve any physical alterations to the exterior of the building and would be limited to the erection of internal subdividing walls. Small alterations are proposed internally; however, these are limited to the subdivision of screen 1 to form smaller rooms that will serve as Sunday school classrooms as well as spaces that would be available for community group uses.
“The current lawful use as a cinema allows large numbers of people to enter and leave the site into the late evening, which could be operated in such a way without the need for consent. The proposed use would result in a betterment as the times at which the building would be used would be at a more sociable hour than the existing lawful use.”
Below are other planning applications published or validated by Stafford Borough Council in recent days
24/40068/NDEM: Demolish former four storey office block with flat roof, brick walls and timber windows at GE Grid Solutions, Ranshaw Drive, Stafford, ST17 4FD
24/40070/NHPD: Rear extension- total length beyond rear wall of the original dwelling 5.2m, maximum height 4.0m and eaves height 3.6m at Kerridge House, Vicarage Bank, Gayton, ST18 0HQ
24/40067/POTH: Convert the existing office/workshop building to provide a modest residential unit comprising two bedrooms and associated living accommodation at West View, Beechcliffe Lane, Tittensor, ST12 9HP
24/40058/T5N: TPO (Tree Preservation Order) 13 1972 (G1): Scots Pine – Removal. Branch has come off into neighbouring property caused by deadwood due to water ingress and frost at 10 Village Gardens, Walton on the Hill, Stafford, ST17 0LL
24/40059/PDEM: Former Perkins Sports and Social Club to be demolished at Perkins Engines Company Limited, Tixall Road, Kingston Hill, Stafford, ST16 3UB
24/40052/TWT: TPO 15 1974: Lime – Remove as regrowth from previously removed tree is continuing to cause damage to a wall that is part of a Grade II listed building at Abbeylands, Stafford Road, Weston
24/40049/HOU: Proposed extension to the existing garage at 60 Badgers Croft, Eccleshall, ST21 6DS
24/40039/TWT: TPO 46 1976 (T7): Plum – Fell, due to failing limbs and cavity in main stem at 3 Uplands Road, Rising Brook, Stafford, ST17 9PS
24/40026/NHPD: Removal of rear extension and proposed rear extension total length beyond rear wall of the original dwelling 4.30m, maximum height 4.00m and eaves height 3.30m at 105 Oulton Road, Stone, ST15 8DS
24/40022/FUL: Variation of condition 2 to 23/37139/FUL (retrospective) (proposed two storey side extension and single storey front and side extension, new entrance porch, new double garage, reduction in length of existing pole barn, change of use of two areas of farm yard to domestic area) at New Buildings Farm, Woollaston Lane, Church Eaton, ST20 0AA
24/40021/HOU: Proposed extension to side and conversion of existing garage to form ancillary accommodation, together with internal alterations at 56 Parkway, Trentham, ST4 8AG
24/40009/PAR: Proposed alterations to redundant farm building to form one dwelling at Greatwood, Offleybrook, ST21 6HA
24/39956/FUL: Replacement of existing general purpose agricultural storage building at Upper Cowley Farm, Cowley Lane, Gnosall, ST20 0BE
24/39940/FUL: Installation of new dark grey metal V profile mesh fencing to form new bin store to existing apartments including 1.5m door and access control at 11 – 11A Princes Street, Stafford
24/39977/TWT: TPO 305 2004: Two Lime – remove at 4 Castle House Drive, Stafford, ST16 1DS
24/39804/FUL: Subdivision of existing property to form two independent dwellings at The Paddocks, 2 Main Road, Wolseley Bridge, ST17 0XP
24/39793/COU: Change of use of a former cinema (Sui Generis) to a place of worship (Use Class F1) at Apollo Cinema, Newport Road, Stafford, ST17 4BD
24/39748/FUL and 24/39893/LBC: Proposed conversion of barns to create seven residential units following the approved and now expired planning applications 19/31282/FUL and 19/31283/LBC at Brockton Hall, Brockton Lane, Eccleshall, ST21 6LY
24/39516/OUT: Demolition of existing three bed detached dwelling and construction of new three bed self-build detached dwelling with attached garage (access, appearance, layout and scale) at Blackthorn, Chase Road, Brocton, ST17 0TL
24/40106/NOTH: Submission for a Part 4, Class BC of Schedule 2 to The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 – for a 60 day temporary recreational campsite with permitted development at Amerton Farm, Uttoxeter Road, Amerton
24/40041/HOU: Extension enlargement of existing outbuilding and link to main house at The Cottage, Coley Lane, Little Haywood, ST18 0UP
24/40040/TWT: TPO 277 2003: Cherry – Cut away to provide a 1 metre clearance away from the totem, or as much as can be achieved from ground level using an extended pole saw at Tesco Extra, Newport Road, Stafford, ST16 2HF
24/40062/TWT: TPO 7 1972: Oak – Reduce overhanging branches by 1.5m at 52 Weeping Cross, Stafford, ST17 0DL
24/39758/TWT: TPO 120 1983 and Trentham Conservation Area: Alder – Remove including stump. Ash – Fell at 18 Park Drive, Trentham, ST4 8AB
24/40046/HOU: Proposed alterations and extensions to existing bungalow to form two storey dwelling, including change of external materials at Craigendoran, 24 Kibblestone Road, Oulton, ST15 8UJ
24/40038/HOU: Two-storey rear extension at Coton House, Newport Road, Gnosall, ST20 0EQ
24/40002/HOU: Two storey side extension and single storey rear extension at 4 Frinton Close, Stafford, ST16 3JW
24/39860/LBC: Retrospective approval for replacement roof tiles to former servants quarters at Ewelme, 11 Park Drive, Trentham, ST4 8AB
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