Humm seems like signing this petition may be counter productive. See the note below from a Councillor who is pro the cinema;
I’m in close contact with the WL Cinema people – I’ve met Dave Fells (the
driving force) on about half a dozen occasions, including again last week.
I’m supporting them, but I’ve also been trying to guide them on the planning
issue.
Objections that say “We don’t want a gym/flats – we want a cinema” have
little/no impact. In fact, there is an outside danger that they would give
the applicant grounds for an appeal if rejected – “it’s clear that the
councillors were swayed by this non-material campaign”. Graham’s e-mail
below puts this into focus – the Council may know that people would prefer a
cinema, but it would be *illegal* to make a planning decision on this basis
and taxpayers’ money would be spent on the developers’ legal bills!
Possible alternative uses are *not* a material consideration.
Cllr Anthony Negus already has a proper planning objection in on heritage
issues and I’m trying to find 15 mins to pop in one on this, parking impact,
sustainability, passive frontages and economic viability of a huge gym. I
have advised Dave that he needs to refocus his supporters and the petition
around this. I understand their position, but they run a high risk of
misfiring and even shooting themselves in the foot!
They’ve been to the Forum before. I am not averse to them coming again, but
only if it’s focused on getting objections and resident input that will have
a positive impact. I am fearful that the Council is going to end up being
blamed for a ‘dreadful decision’ if the pro-cinema campaign fails to direct
their fire.
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