CHURCH LOSE APPEAL OVER CINEMA BUILDING: “Plans would harm town centre’s vitality” says inspector

The Pentecostal church which owns the cinema building at 25 Church Road have lost their appeal against a Bromley council planning refusal to turn it into mixed church / community use.

In her judgment the planning inspector Claire Victory says:

• There is local support for a community cinema or other entertainment use
• The local area is already well-provided for places of worship with about 10 in the SE19 area
• Many of the events staged at 25 Church Road “appear to have a strong element of worship”KICC (Kingsway International Christian Centre) had appealed against the refusal of planning permission involving the change of use of 25 Church Road from use class D2 (assembly and leisure) to mixed-use comprising class D1 (place of worship, conference and non-residential religious education and training centre) and Class D2 (assembly and leisure) use.EVENTS: Some public events have been held within the auditorium including live opera and the screening of films”The appellant has also provided information on events held previously at the venue, but many of these appear to have a strong element of worship. In addition a limited amount of performances have been organised by a third party” says the inspector.”It appears that the approval of the appellant was required for each performance, and the cost of hiring the venue was relatively high. “Evidence from local residents also indicated that the type of events, including films have been relatively narrow in scope, for example only films rated U.

  “Consequently the cost of hiring the venue and control of activities by the appellant would be likely to limit the variety of films or types of performances that may be shown on the premises, and narrow the range of activities that might be offered to the local community.”

  CINEMA: The appellant has provided evidence to indicate that there is no demand for a cinema of this size with a single auditorium.

  “Notwithstanding this, there is equally no evidence that the property has been marketed for this purpose by the appellant.

  “Indeed, a cinema company sought to purchase the property at the time it was acquired by the appellant, and it has expressed a continuing interest in operating the property as a cinema.

  “There is also local support for a community cinema or other entertainment use, and there have been other expressions of interest from companies interested in operating a cinema on the premises.”

  CHURCH WORSHIP: The application form says that about 250 worshippers would attend events.

  “The seating capacity of the venue is not stated but I saw that fixed seating in the upper tier and capacity for seating in the main hall would be likely to be in excess of that number.

  “The appellant has indicated that a proportion of the worshippers would come from the existing church in Sutton, about eight miles away, although the transport study and the consultation responses, suggest the church would draw a wide catchment from North and East London and the wider South East area including parts of Kent and Essex.

  “I have also had regard to KICC’s other venue in Walthamstow, which attracts significant numbers from a wide geographical area…….

  “……Based on the evidence before me, the sub-regional catchment of KICC would generate a significant level of traffic, and it is likely that a substantial proportion would arrive by car, and this would be concentrated at certain times at the start and end of each service, with limited public car parking capacity in the vicinity of the appeal site, and no car parking on Church Road.

  “Although the application refers to the opportunity to introduce legally binding management measures no planning obligation has been submitted with the appeal.

  “Without such measures in place I cannot be certain that the proposal would not cause hazards or whether they could be adequately minimised.”

  USE: The appeal proposal does not specify any part of the site that would be for Class D2 use.

  “In terms of activities independent of the church, the application and supporting information do not indicate any specific times each week when the building would be available, or groups that would use the facility.

  “As a result it is unclear whether such open access to other groups would be available and it
  would be difficult to ensure that the proposed use would in practice be a mixed D1/D2 use.

  “Furthermore, it is not apparent that any condition could be worded effectively to ensure a Class D2 use of either a part of the building or during particular times of the week.

  “25 Church Road is the only large building of its type in the town centre. The National Planning Policy Framework contains policies that seek to ensure their vitality.

  “Whilst the list of main town centre uses in the glossary includes entertainment it does not include places of worship.

  “The lawful use of the building is so important to the overall function of the centre that the loss of the opportunity to reinstate a use exclusively within Class D2 should not be lost at this stage.

  “Given the strength of local support for the retention of the Class D2 use this is a material consideration in the appeal.

  “I have also taken into account the considerable investment made by the appellant in refurbishing the building, but this would not overcome the harm that I have identified.” (Appeal Ref: APP/G5180/W/15/3134762)

The Picture Palace Campaign, welcoming the decision, said: “The Planning Inspector has comprehensively dismissed KICC’s appeal against refusal of planning permission. “This is a significant milestone in keeping the building available for proper, public entertainment use, as it should be.”

OPINION: REJOICE!!!! – but don’t get too carried away by this decision……

The people of Crystal Palace were hoping for good news over the appeal by KICC. It wasn’t a foregone conclusion. It was probably only going to come down to the parking – wasn’t it?

Er – no. What the people of Crystal Palace got was one of the best bits of news they have had in ages – and an inspector’s report which smashed to smithereens all the arguments put forward by KICC and their advisers.

BANG! There is local support for a community cinema or other entertainment use.

BANG! The local area is already well-provided for places of worship with about 10 in the SE19 area.

BANG! Many of the events staged at 25 Church Road “appear to have a strong element of worship.”

So what’s next?

Well, KICC will almost certainly appeal their decision to the High Court. And if past history is anything to go by they will wait until the last possible moment to do so.

Each and every individual Bromley councillor from across the borough will also need to examine the inspector’s report very, very closely.

It is a template not just for Crystal Palace but for every other part of the borough of Bromley – and beyond.

Bromley council also need to – finally – get their act together and stop waiting off-set as KICC put on another event…and another…and another….

They are not going to go away.

KICC have pulled every stunt in the book – and some that won’t make it until the next reprint – to keep hold of the premises at 25 Church Road and put on all sorts of events.

OK, so the widely-advertised burlesque event featuring the Folly Mixtures didn’t actually take place (it was apparently scrapped two days beforehand).

Before the Inspector’s report was published, KICC appear to think that winning the planning appeal was just a formality.

Earlier this month the following – quite frankly bizarre -appeared on the KICC website: It may make you very angry – and would be laughable if it was not so serious: The unedited version – News From Crystal Palace have highlighted one line in bold type – reads:

When you come to The Open Door, you are not simply coming to a ‘cinema’ – you are coming to an event.

The Open Door is Crystal Palace’s long awaited cinema venue.  Local residents and politicians have long campaigned for it and now it is here.  However, The Open Door is no ordinary cinema.   Set in the beautifully restored former Rialto Cinema, which was built by A.C. Matthews in the 1920’s, The Open Door is a unique combination of movie theatre and bistro buffet restaurant.

For those who do not wish to dine, The Open Door balcony will transport them back in time to the heyday of cinema.  They can enjoy their popcorn high above our 30-foot wide silver screen and watch movies on the big screen in a way that is simply not on offer in the multi-screen cinema complexes. Not only will the best new movie releases be shown at The Open Door, but also live satellite broadcast events such as: ballets, Shakespeare plays, Ted Talks, documentaries, film premieres, film previews and director’s Q&A screenings. There is so much to tell you about The Open Door that we invite you to pop by and watch a movie and experience The Open Door for yourself. From 29 April 2016 The Open Door Cinema will be screening the US Box Office hit movie God’s Not Dead 2 at 1.00pm, 4.00pm, 7.00pm and 10.00pm.

….AND NOW THERE’S THIS:

Dear ___________________________,

I write firstly to introduce myself.  I am George Hargreaves, Chief Executive of The Christian Cinema Charitable Trust.

The Christian Cinema Charitable Trust is a charity whose purpose is to help churches that own former cinemas to continue the tradition of showing movies in those often iconic settings, for the benefit of the entire local community.*  With this aim in mind The Christian Cinema Charitable Trust is working with Kingsway International Christian Centre to launch The Open Door Cinema at 25 Church Road, SE19 2TE; the former site of the Rialto Cinema.

Secondly, I would like to invite you and a group of your young people to the UK Charity Premiere of the new movie GOD’S NOT DEAD 2 on Friday, 22nd April 2016 in the presence of stars of the movie Paul Kwo (Michael Yip) and Trisha LaFache (Amy Ryan).

This free of charge invitation has been made possible through the generosity of Kingdom Cinema Equipment Ltd, who have sponsored 100 ticket (at £30 each) for the local Christian community.  Initially, we can allocate up 10 (ten) tickets per church.  Additional ticket can be purchased online at

The free tickets are on a first come, first serve basis; with two provisos: 1,  All attendees must dress appropriately for a Gala Premiere (no jeans, trainers, etc.).  2.  Unused tickets will be paid for, if not return at least by noon on Thursday, 21st April 2016.

The Premiere is a fundraiser for the charity Christian Concern.so all additional tickets purchased will be for a very worthy cause.

My entire team and I would love to see you at The Open Door Cinema on the 22nd April and are very much hoping you and some of your young people will walk the red carpet with and the stars of GOD’S NOT DEAD 2..

Yours in Christ’s service, Rev Dr George Hargreaves

And what was it the inspector said in her report?

“The appellant has provided evidence to indicate that there is no demand for a cinema of this size with a single auditorium.”

As Richard Littlejohn might say: “You couldn’t make it up.”

*bold type by News From Crystal Palace

DRY CLEANERS RE-OPENS……NEW SIGNS ON CINEMA BUILDING…..TREE WALK IN CRYSTAL PALACE PARK…….WESTOW STREET BUILDING UNDER THE HAMMER

DRY CLEANERS RE-OPENS

The premises of dry cleaners Franklin Bell on Westow Hill has re-opened.
 
Co-owner Farooq Butt told News From Crystal Palace: “We-re open again. “We’re sorry about what’s happened.”

NEW SIGNS ON CINEMA BUILDING
New signs appeared outside the cinema building at 25 Church Road following last week’s visit by a planning inspector.

One is a red metallic sign which proclaims ‘The Open Door’. Films being shown are listed on a separate signboard underneath including Risen (12A) described on the British Board of Film Classification’s website as a drama in which a Roman tribune is tasked with locating Jesus’ body following its disappearance after the Crucifixion.

TREE WALK IN CRYSTAL PALACE PARK

A guided tree walk is being held in Crystal Palace park on Saturday February 27th.

Meet: Crystal Palace rail station Crystal Palace Station Rd London SE26 6UT at 11am. The walk finishes 12.30pm.

Join London Wildlife Trust for a guided walk of Crystal Palace Park and delve into the ancient woodland history of the Great North Wood.

As a relic of the Great North Wood, Crystal Palace Park has a rich natural and cultural history. It was Penge Common until 1827, a 500 acre common with ancient woodland and grassland that took in Anerley

Penge is a Celt word meaning ‘the end of the wood’

The oak tree is the symbol of the Great North Wood and many can be found at Crystal Palace

There are also a number of non-native, ornamental trees which tell a story of their own about the history of the park. (Source: The Community Fund website)

WESTOW STREET BUILDING UNDER THE HAMMER

A Westow Street building is going under the hammer later this month with a guide price of £1.5 million.

The premises at 74 Westow Street – where the ground floor is occupied by Vietnamese restaurant Urban Orient – are desribed as: “Freehold end of terrace building arranged as ground floor retail unit/s 539 square feet and basement 148 square feet let residential upper part two flat two bedroom and two flat one bedroom 4 assured shorthold tenancy.  Income£76,100 per annum

The property is being auctioned by MS Auctions on Monday 29th February at Radisson Blu Portman hotel, 22 Portman Square, London, W1H 7BG

PLANNING INSPECTOR VISITS CINEMA BUILDING AT 25 CHURCH ROAD

THE PLANNING inspector assigned to deal with the appeal by Pentecostal church KICC has visited the cinema building at 25 Church Road.

The visit was attended by residents of Patterson Road whose homes back onto the rear of the building; the Picture Palace Campaign, Norwood Society, and Crystal Palace Triangle Planning Group.

Crystal Palace ward Cllr Angela Wilkins (Bromley) also attended along with KICC officials and their planning representatives.

KICC are appealing against a Bromley council planning committee’s refusal to allow a change of use of the cinema building at 25 Church Road into a mixed church and assembly / leisure use.

Posters for the burlesque event planned at 25 Church Road had been removed prior to the visit and replaced with posters advertising a film called Noble.

KICC representatives told the planning inspector a premiere of the film had been planned for that night but the “star guest” was unable to attend because of illness and the film would now be shown in March.

The film tells the story of Christina Noble, a children’s rights campaigner, charity worker and writer, who founded the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation in 1989. It stars Deirdre O’Kane.

BURLESQUE ACT IN CHURCH-OWNED BUILDING

Burlesque act The Folly Mixtures are to appear in Crystal Palace on Saturday February 13th as part of a ‘Valentine Special.’

The event will be held in the cinema building at 25 Church Road, currently owned by KICC (Kingsway International Christian Centre) which among locals is regarded as anti-gay.

The Folly Mixtures will be supported by two comedians and two singers for the event.

Tickets are £35 (£45 VIP) with an English, European or West Indian buffet followed by a dance. Doors open 6pm, the event finishing at 11pm. The event is being organised by Bam Bam promotions which recently staged a boxing night in the same building.

An appeal by KICC against refusal of planning permission to change the use of the former cinema at 25 Church Road from Use Class D2 (Assembly and leisure) to a mixed-use comprising Class D1 (Place of Worship, Conference and Non Residential religious education and training centre) and Class D2 (Assembly and Leisure) use is currently being considered by the Planning Inspectorate.

See also: https://www.facebook.com/bambamboxing/

Picture Palace Campaign website

CINEMA CAMPAIGNERS ‘THANK YOU’
 
The Picture Palace Campaign have thanked people for their “amazing support” over the past year.
 
“We would, also, like to say a massive ‘thank you’ to everyone who took the time to make a further representation to the Planning Inspectorate in support of Bromley council’s refusal of ‘change of use’ of 25 Church Road; to everyone who dug deep and made a donation to our appeal for funds to pay for planning advice; and to everyone who sent messages of support.

“The response to our appeal was overwhelming and we reached our target in less than 24 hours.

“£Your donations enabled us to submit a very strong rebuttal to Kingsway International Christian Centre’s (KICC) grounds for appeal against refusal of planning permission to change the use of 25 Church Road from Use Class D2 (Assembly and leisure) to a mixed-use comprising Class D1 (Place of Worship, Conference and Non Residential religious education and training centre) and Class D2 (Assembly and Leisure) use.

“We are using the balance of your donations to maintain our website and MailChimp account with a very small reserve for any future eventualities.”

Update on KICC’s Planning Appeal:

The Appeal process is underway but has been delayed. Final comments from Bromley council and the Appellant were originally due by mid-November 2015 but appear to have been put back until the end of January.

The average time for appeals to be determined by the Planning Inspectorate is 19 weeks from start to finish.  Whether this delay will affect the final decision date is unclear, although our view is that the appeal should be very straightforward to reach a decision on.

We will be in touch when we have further news.

The future for the Campaign:

We will continue to explore all options for a cinema in Crystal Palace but our focus remains on 25 Church Road.

Crystal Palace is best served by retaining 25 Church Road’s exclusive D2 Public assembly and leisure use and restoring a cinema there, providing local entertainment for the benefit of the whole community regardless of background or belief – a use that would make a major contribution to supporting the economic vitality and viability of our town centre.

The Campaign was in touch with two cinema operators before the holidays and there is still very firm interest in bringing a cinema back to Crystal Palace.

We are a community campaign, should other opportunities present themselves we will seek your views.

Thank you for your continued support. We wouldn’t be here without it!

With very best wishes
Picture Palace Campaign team (Source: Picture Palace Campaign)

PUBLIC INQUIRIES ON CINEMA BUILDING AND GRAPE AND GRAIN DELAYED
 
The public inquiries into the cinema building at 25 Church Road and the Grape and Grain pub at the top of Anerley Hill have been delayed.
 
News From Crystal Palace understands that Bromley council have a two-month backlog in dealing with appeals.

In the case of the former cinema building at 25 Church Road, both Bromley council and KICC – the church which owns the building, have been given until late January to submit written statements.

Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) The Open Door have lodged an appeal against the refusal of planning permission involving the change of use of 25 Church Road from use class D2 (assembly and leisure) to mixed-use comprising class D1 (place of worship, conference and non-residential religious education and training centre) and Class D2 (assembly and leisure) use.
(case number APP/G5180/W/15/3134762)

The Grape and Grain case – where Wetherspoon’s are appealing against Bromley council’s refusal of a single storey front extension incorporating roof terrace at first floor level has also been delayed. This case is also being dealt with by written statements. (Reference number  3134635).

MONDAY DEADLINE FOR CHURCH OBJECTIONS –  “Last opportunity you may get” warn cinema campaign

MONDAY is the final deadline to object to a planning appeal which, if successful, would see the cinema building at 25 Church Road used for church services.

The Picture Palace Campaign, in an open email, say: “This is the last opportunity to make our voices heard, yet again, regarding KICC’s proposals to turn the last remaining dedicated D2 leisure venue in Crystal Palace district centre into a place of worship.

“Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) The Open Door have lodged an appeal against the refusal of planning permission involving the change of use of 25 Church Road from use class D2 (assembly and leisure) to mixed-use comprising class D1 (place of worship, conference and non-residential religious education and training centre) and Class D2 (assembly and leisure) use.

“Any comments you made to Bromley council regarding KICC’s proposals at the planning application stage (back in January) will have already been sent to the Planning Inspector who is dealing with the appeal.

“You should have received a letter from Bromley council. “But we are asking everyone to submit a further representation to the Planning Inspectorate in support of Bromley council’s refusal of ‘change of use’. “The deadline for comments is 5pm Monday 16 November.

“Please make a quick objection to the Planning Inspectorate. “You don’t need to say much, just please register your opposition to their appeal. “Of course, you can say more if you want to.

“We fully support Bromley council’s decision to refuse ‘change of use’

“KICC’s planning statement of case (grounds for appeal) states that their proposals for mixed use of 25 Church Road provide the best hope for the building to be regularly used and maintained for entertainment and, of being regularly accessed by a diverse range of people in the community.

“We disagree in the strongest possible terms. “Actions speak louder than words

“KICC have had over three years, since the formal opening for their members in August 2012, to develop and deliver a regular programme of D2 events at the building. “They have chosen not to, despite the building having an existing D2 planning use.

“The building has stood mainly empty and unused, day in, day out, night in, night out, contributing very little to the vitality, viability and economy of our district centre and offer for local people.

“KICC have a legal obligation, as a registered religious charity, to place the promotion of Christianity at the centre of its actions and operations – rather than focus its time and resources on running a large public entertainment venue, open to all and offering an appealing mix of public entertainment.

“If KICC’s desire was to allow for continued leisure and assembly use of the building when not in use as a place of worship, they would have proposed this as part of their original planning application in 2009 and not gone on to refurbish the building as a replica of their church in Walthamstow.

“The ‘mixed-use’ appeal proposals are simply aimed at overcoming the previous and entirely valid reasons for refusal provided by the council (in respect of the 2009 application) in order to fulfil KICC’s primary objective – to use the premises as a Class D1 place of worship with associated church related activities as they originally intended.

“This would undoubtedly be the predominant use should the appeal be granted.

“Crystal Palace is best served by retaining 25 Church Road’s exclusive D2 Public assembly and leisure use and restoring a cinema there providing local entertainment for the benefit of the whole community regardless of background or belief – a use that would make a major contribution to supporting the economic vitality and viability of our town centre.

“Please spare five minutes of your time to make your views known on KICC’s appeal now. “This is the last opportunity you may get.”

IN THEIR appeal document, planning consultants acting for KICC – “an independent charismatic evangelical Pentecostal church” – make much of how much money their clients have spent on the building – despite being refused permission to turn the building into a church back in 2009.

They argue no cinema use has taken place in the building for 47 years, say KICC are in “discussions” with an unnamed commercial cinema operator and that negotiations are taking place with More2Screen – a cinema events operator –  to stage live screenings of opera ballet and other theatrical performances.

The consultants again fail to address where their Wimbledon-based congregation would park. (Parts of Crystal Palace park – their original choice – are now blocked to traffic following a travellers’ invasion earlier this year.)

They also neglect to mention there are several other Pentecostal churches in the immediate area – one in St Aubyn’s Road, two meeting at Upper Norwood Methodist church).

They also ignore the continued vociferous demand for a cinema in Crystal Palace.

Please make your representation online at www.planningportal.gov.uk or
Email your representation to: [email protected] 

KICC LAUNCH APPEAL AGAINST CHURCH REFUSAL – Grape and Grain decision also being challenged

KICC have lodged an appeal against a Bromley council planning committee’s refusal to allow a change of use of the cinema building at 25 Church Road into a mixed church and assembly / leisure use.

The only indication that an appeal has been lodged against the Pentecostal church’s hugely controversial plans is contained in details of the original planning application (Reference 14/04557/FULL2) on Bromley council’s planning website where it states ‘appeal lodged’,

An appeal has also been lodged against Bromley council’s refusal to allow a single storey front extension incorporating roof terrace at first floor level for the Grape and Grain pub at the top of Anerley Hill (Reference 15/00187/ FULL1 Alternative ReferencePP-03800601).

Again, the only indication that an appeal has been lodged is contained in details of the original planning application on Bromley council’s planning website. (See: Bromley.gov search planning applications).

No details of either appeal can be found on the Planning Inspectorate’s website. (search: Planning Inspectorate appeals and just key in London borough of Bromley on the relevant page.  More details will follow when they become available Ed.)

For the full background to the campaign to bring a cinema back please search ’25 Church Road’ and ‘Picture Palace Campaign’ on newsfromcrystalpalace.co.uk

PADDINGTON, BASIL FAWLTY AND OPERA – ALL AT 25 CHURCH ROAD (but it will cost £3,500 to hire the main hall for the day)
 
A SCREENING of the children’s film Paddington is set to take place in the cinema building at 25 Church Road tomorrow Saturday (16th).

The film will (almost certainly) be the first shown there since 1968 when the building closed as a cinema. The 11 am event is being advertised as ’50 plus’ tickets available with tickets costing £4.

On Saturday May 23rd a major awards event is being held at 25 Church Road. Other events being lined up include a Fawlty Towers Dinner Show on Friday May 29th (tickets from £37 plus booking fee) and an opera evening which appears to be the screening of an Italian production of
Rossini’s L’Italiana in Algeri (The Italian girl in Algiers)

MAJOR AWARDS EVENT PLANNED FOR CINEMA BUILDING – Tickets up to £50 – Press pass £25!
 
The Nigerian Events Awards UK 2015 includes awards for best DJ, fashion designer, cake designer, kiddies party entertainer comedian and best balloon decorator.

‘Early bird’ VIP tickets were being offered at £50 for front row round table seating for eight people. This includes “red carpet photo, access to Lebara photobooth, buffet dinner, champagne, bottles of wine on the table, soft drinks and networking.”

An exhibiting stall which covers one trestle table, one chair, one standard ticket which includes red carpet photos, packed dinner, drinks and networking is available for £75 – while a ‘media kit / press pass’ with the “opportunity to cover the number one award winning Nigerian event of the year” costs £25 (includes packed dinner).

HIRING FEES AT 25 CHURCH ROAD: An Internet item headed ‘The Open Door Venue’ apparently produced by Kitchen Angels which run the cafe in the 25 Church Road building, lists the following half-day charges:

Main hall hire rates:

Morning 7 am to 1 pm: £2,080.00
Afternoon 2pm to 5.30 pm: £1,456.00
Evening 6pm to 11pm £1,872.00
All day 7am to 11pm: £3,536.00

A meeting room for between 26 and 40 people is available at half-day rates from £189 (2 pm to 5.30pm); morning (8 am to 1pm) and evening (6 pm to 11 pm) for £270. The item adds: “Daily delegates rate starts at £17* per head which includes unlimited coffee, hot food from the Open Door cafe bar, cake, crisp and a bottle of still water (*for 40 guests.)”

There is no mention of KICC (Kingsway International Christian Centre) which owns the premises.

These prices contrast with the Phoenix community centre just around the corner on Westow Street where a small room costs £20 hour to hire, £25 an hour for a slightly larger room with bar area and £80 an hour for the main hall – all prices negotiable.

Elsewhere, the Open Door venue is being advertised on the Internet as a “premium venue for hire with a seating capacity of over 1100, great transport links and great facilities. Corporate events, weddings, concerts. conventions, forums, trade shows.” – but makes no mention of the lack of parking in the area.