“NO CINEMA USE FOR MORE THAN 45 YEARS” – KICC

February 25, 2015

“NO CINEMA USE FOR MORE THAN 45 YEARS” – KICC

A cinema use has not occurred at 25 Church Road for more than 45 years.

“It is in this context that any objection on the basis of a loss of a leisure/entertainment use should be set” say KICC in their submission in support of their application.

Support for KICC’s plans has come in around 200 emails – many from the county of Essex*.

Comments include:

“These activities will make our neighbourhood more active, bubbling and enjoyable
“A cinema will attract only those that go to cinemas.” and, somewhat bizarrely,
“The building has hardly been used since Gala Bingo vacated it in 2009.”

In their submission KICC say they will:

provide a place of worship for local people for which there is a need
Meet the needs of a group (the BME community) who are recognised to experience disadvantage through the land use planning system
Maintain a community use of the building both as a place of worship and importantly, for other non-religious assembly and leisure uses (e.g. concerts, films, conferences etc.)
Support the wider economy of Crystal Palace throughout the daytime and into the evening period by hosting activities and events (both religious and non-religious) which would attract footfall to the locality
Allow a continued assembly and leisure use of the building consistent with adopted and emerging policy
Not have any detrimental impact on parking demand or pedestrian safety in the vicinity of the site
The applicants have sought to proactively engage with the local community and key political stakeholders to hear, understand and react to their previous concerns and objections to the earlier application
that a cinema use has not occurred for in excess of 45 years from this location. It is in this context that any objection on the basis of a loss of a leisure/entertainment use should be set
That the submitted transport assessment demonstrates the development site is well located to encourage sustainable travel patterns and will not result in a significant adverse impact on the surrounding area
The application building was designed and built to accommodate large capacity events on a regular basis and maintains the capacity to accommodate events of up to approximately 1,100 people
Events which fall within the lawful use of the building (i.e. D2) and which attract significant numbers of people can currently operate from the building without the need for planning consent
The proposals deliver economic development and in doing so help, albeit it in a complementary way, to achieve a strong and responsive economy
The proposals perform a social role through ensuring the local community has access to a range of cultural, religious and leisure activities within a fit for-purpose multi-use building
They perform an environmental role ensuring an important attractive building is protected and enhanced for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations.

An officers report to the plans sub-committee says that in support the following representations have been received, however it is noted that of the 200 received a large number do not include a supporting comment:.

The applicant wants to enrich the fabric of society for people in the area to empower and help the needy and hurting
A communal location that attends to the youth can give the youth in the area something to spend their energy on
The appearance of the street is improved with more life and activity brought to the area
A positive impact on the well-being of the community through volunteered church events and community work
Good transport links and will cut down on expenses travelling to central London to hire meeting halls for events
The building has hardly been used since Gala Bingo vacated it in 2009.
A mixed use approval gives even greater scope for events and activities to take place in the building. This will generate much needed foot-fall in the Church Road area thus providing income opportunities for the benefit of all the local traders
KICC Church not only has a positive spiritual impact on lives but it extends to social, physical, emotional and economic well-being of individuals, family and socially
Will aid regeneration and drive other investment into the community
This church will add benefit to the spiritual needs of the community
It will bring a much needed injection of life into the community whilst also allowing the property owners to use it as they wish
Bromley council should take into consideration the church’s track record and previous involvements in other communities, recognising this would be an opportunity to promote the multiculturalism of Britain
Having a multi-purpose leisure centre will attract a wider range of people

THE CPTPG (Crystal Palace Triangle Planning Group) say the majority of emails in support of KICC’s application were from Basildon, Thurrock Grays, Hornchurch, South Ockenden, Stanford le Hope, Dagenham, Hornchurch, Ilford, Waltham Cross, Rainham Havering, Brent Cross, and Brentford.

Others came from Roehampton, West Molesey, Carshalton, Epsom. Sutton, Merton, Wimbledon, Surbiton, Hammersmith, Wandsworth, Putney, Erith, Chatham, Thamesmead, Ashford Kent, Belvedere, Gravesend;

About 13 from Croydon residents including Shirley, South Croydon, Thornton Heath and Selsdon; a few from Streatham, Tooting, Morden, Putney