Future of art deco cinema in the balance

The cinema opened in 1930 and the building has been derelict since its time as a bingo hall ended in 2009

The future of an "iconic" derelict art deco cinema hangs in the balance after a hearing was told of arguments to both save and knock down the building.

The former Central Cinema on Hobson Street in Cambridge was opened in 1930 and closed in 1972. However, it was used as a bingo hall until 2009.

An appeal was heard by the planning inspectorate into the SSHS Redevelopment Partners' project, which proposes to demolish the building and neighbouring properties to make way for an office block.

A decision is yet to be made on whether the redevelopment can go ahead.

Cambridge City Council argued the development would see the loss of an "iconic and rare" building.

However, due to the site being closed for almost two decades, the developer said there was a "pressing need" to do something with it after years of failed attempts to find a new use for it.

However, the city council refused to grant planning permission for the project last year, after councillors said they opposed the complete loss of the building.

Concerns included how the new development would sit within the city's skyline along with worries about the "substantial demolition" of buildings in the area.

The authority said its concerns had been set out since the beginning of the pre-application process and said still had not been fully addressed.

It said the harm of the "unjustified loss" of the former cinema building, sited within a conservation area, was not outweighed by the public benefits of the proposal.

The building's owner says new life needs to be breathed into the building

Developers claim the project would be a chance to "breathe fresh life" into the area.

In response to the concerns, representatives of the company argued the new office block would not break the city's skyline.

Mark Richer, owner of the building, said the proposals are the "best solution".

He said: "Everyone acknowledges the pressing need to do something on this site, to stop the rot and breathe in fresh life.

"We are dismayed that we have been forced to make our case on appeal, rather than achieve planning permission from the council, who appear to have set their face firmly against any demolition of the former cinema."

The plans and arguments will be considered before a decision over the redevelopment is made.