Objections to Redfield cinema development hit the 900 mark as the deadline passes

The planning application to turn a former cinema and Wetherspoon pub on Church Road in Redfield has received more than 900 objections.

Developers Landrose propose to turn the site into 44 bedsits and a commercial gym but the Save Redfield Cinema campaign has gained huge support in the local area to stop the development and turn the site into a multi-purpose community building with less housing.

There has been fierce opposition from local residents and the developer withdrew its original plan last year after it received nearly 1,000 objections.

Many of the 900 objections to the latest plan are from residents who say revised designs are not much better than the original plans, and many want to see the building turned into a community space and cinema with less housing.

The cinema first opened as a silent movie theatre in 1912 and was later a Granada cinema. In recent years, it was a Wetherspoons pub.

One resident commenting on the Bristol City Council planning portal said: “Need and demand has been demonstrated consistently and in volume by the Save Redfield Cinema Campaign and its supporters.

“A 10,000 strong petition to have the site listed as Asset of Community Value, 980 objections to the first set of (near identical) plans submitted by Landrose, 2600 Facebook group members and seven well attended public consultations.”

Lindsey Garwood, a spokesperson for the Save Redfield Cinema campaign, said: “We are absolutely delighted that so many local people have made their voices heard by objecting to these unsuitable plans, and urge Bristol City Council to listen to their views, which are overwhelming in support of keeping this historic building as a social and cultural space for the people of Redfield and East Bristol, which is how it’s been used by the public for over 100 years.

“We see this as a turning point for the area. We all know we need housing, nobody is disagreeing with that, but cramming in 44 badly thought out bedsits into a building that contains valuable physical and social heritage, not least what is possibly Bristol’s oldest surviving art deco cinema, is housing without care and thought for the residents or the local people.

“We have an opportunity to have a community space, a venue, which this area does not have - this could be a place for everyone in the community to enjoy. Or, if the developer’s plans go ahead, it will be a constant daily reminder to us all that what local people need and want is nothing in the face of profit for the few.

“Around 920 objections were submitted, and while we think the deadline for neighbourhood objections has passed the planning portal still seems to be open, so we would urge anyone who has not yet objected to do so and we would also encourage people to sign up to our newsletter through our website, www.saveredfieldcinema.com. This is too important to give up now, so let’s keep objecting!”