Demolition of art deco cinema blocked by inspector

The cinema opened in 1930 and closed in 1972, then it was used as a bingo hall until 2009

Developers have been blocked from knocking down an old cinema over concerns about losing the historic art deco facade.

The 1930s cinema in Hobson Street, Cambridge, had faced demolition under redevelopment plans to build a new office block.

Cambridge City Council refused permission and an appeal was launched against the decision, but a planning inspector agreed with the council.

The building's owner, Mark Richer, previously said he had spent more than a decade trying to find a user and that something needed to be done to "stop the rot and breathe in fresh life" to the site.

The old cinema was last used as a bingo hall, but has been sitting empty for a number of years.

As well as plans for a new office, developer SSHS Redevelopment Partners said it would add a community space and refurbish Hobson's Passage.

A hearing with the planning inspector was held in September, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The owner of the former cinema said he had been unable to find a user for the building, which had fallen into disrepair

In their report, the inspector said they had seen a feasibility study that highlighted "challenges" with keeping the art deco facade as part of a redevelopment. The lack of windows was one aspect.

The inspector said the study claimed any potential occupiers would be unlikely to value the facade's "heritage significance" and would prefer a modern style.

However, the inspector found this argument "unconvincing" and said in their experience, offices within converted buildings in a city centre were "highly desirable".

They added: "The former cinema has a moderate degree of significance, both for its own merits and for its contribution to the conservation area.

"The loss of its principal facade would result in a loss of historic fabric and would also diminish the special character and appearance of Hobson Street.

"Whilst I appreciate that it is unlikely that a new use could be found for the building as a whole, the evidence in relation to total demolition is not compelling."

The planning inspector also raised concerns about the impact of the proposed new office building on the city's skyline.

The inspector said they recognised there would be advantages of the proposed redevelopment, including the "significant benefit" of the proposed community space.

However, they said the benefits would not be enough to outweigh the issues identified.