Nightclub appeal hearing
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By
Hayley Robinson
An appeal against Swale council’s decision to refuse
planning permission to transform the town’s former New Century
Cinema into a nightclub is moving another step forward.
A government planning inspector is due to hold a one-day hearing
about the plans at Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne, from
10.30am on April 27.
People can attend the hearing and may speak at the inspector’s
discretion.
Businessman Stephen Cross lodged an appeal with the planning
inspectorate after Swale council’s planning committee opposed his
£1m plan to transform the old Reeltime Cinema in Sittingbourne High
Street into a nightclub. This was despite council planning officers
giving it the thumbs up saying it would benefit the night-time
economy.
The project could create up to 50 jobs.
The cinema closed at the end of February 2009 when owner
Reeltime Cinemas decided to call it a day after audiences
dwindled.
Mr Cross said: “We are looking forward to presenting our views
at the hearing. I continue to believe that Sittingbourne is worthy
of investment and strongly believe that my plans will be of
significant benefit to the town centre.
“I have been overwhelmed with the level of support we have
received and I understand that petitions and letters in favour of
the development have been forwarded to the Inspector in
extraordinary numbers.
“I know that there are some residents with concerns, but I also
know that we can and will address these issues.
“Our appeal is based on the fact that the council members were
wrong to refuse the application. Their reason was that the use
would generate an unacceptable level of noise and disturbance.
“There was no justification for this decision. There is no
evidence to show that an unacceptable level of noise and
disturbance and the Premises Licence application, which
specifically assesses the potential for disturbance, saw no
indication of any such problems and was granted a month after the
planning committee’s decision was reached.”
Monday, March 08 2010
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