Cinema plans condemned (From Stroud News and Journal)

Cinema plans condemned

DESIGNS for a new cinema in Stroud have been condemned as monolithic and Stalinist by Stroud Town Council.

At a meeting on Monday, February 10 councillors voted to oppose the plans, which would see a five-screen entertainment centre built at Merrywalks.

They are due to be considered at a future district council planning meeting.

Cllr Kevin Cranston said: "These plans are monolithic and Stalinist.

"It isn't a particularly attractive building and it will create a concrete wall the length of Merrywalks.

"This will be foreboding and off-putting."

Cllr Cranston stressed the town council supports the idea of a cinema, but did not like the submitted design.

He said: "We welcome the cinema but object to the current plan. "If those aspects are sorted out we would be happy to see something built there."

Developers have applied for a structure with access to Merrywalks shopping centre via a walkway and a lift.

There is also talk of a health and fitness club and other restaurants, as well as McDonald's, being built in the area.

The town councillors' complaints were that the proposed cinema was not in keeping with the town, would affect town centre business and would spoil the landscape.

Cllr Shelagh Hume said: "My main concern is the appearance. "It's going to look like Swindon ice rink."

Councillors were also worried that no provision had been made for an alternative bus station.

According to the local plan, other arrangements were supposed to in place before the cinema was begun.

Cllr Cranston said: "The whole project turns its back on the town centre. There would be no easy access to the town.

"If we are trying to make the town better used in the evening it needs to have ways of getting from the cinema."

Cinema-goers would have to walk through the back of the town and along Gloucester Street to get into Stroud at night, he said. Cllr Ivi Szaboova-Baxendale said: "This is going to be perceived as dangerous."