Castleford Picture House: Apartments approved at former cinema
Wakefield Council previously granted permission for 25 apartments to be built at the Station Road property in 2022
Proposals to convert a fire damaged century-old former cinema and nightclub into social housing apartments have been approved.
The Picture House building in Castleford town centre was badly damaged in a suspected arson attack in 2017.
Wakefield Council previously granted permission for 25 apartments to be built at the Station Road property in 2022 after it was bought at auction by developers.
Fresh plans were then put forward in January this year by a new company to increase the number of dwellings to 37.
Documents submitted by Yorkshire Picture House Limited said the “end user” of the scheme would be social housing provider Vico Homes, previously Wakefield District Housing.
A planning statement said: “The building has become an eyesore and it significantly detracts from the vitality of the town centre in its current condition.
“The dwellings have been designed to give very good standards of housing amenity.”
The proposals include providing gym and cinema facilities for residents when the building is fully renovated.
The document adds: “The size of rooms proposed is very generous for this type of housing.
“All living spaces have very good levels of natural light and outlook.
“The building was damaged by fire several years ago and it has become neglected.
“The regeneration scheme will vastly improve its appearance and will secure the long-term future of this iconic building.”
The original scheme also included three commercial units on the ground, including offices for an estate agent and a coffee shop.
The new plan includes reducing the number of commercial premises to one.
The statement added: “The proposal would breathe much needed new life into this important and historic building.
“It would deliver much needed new housing and commercial space that is wholly appropriate for this town centre location.
“The proposed development would completely reverse this and would restore the building to being one of the best assets in the town centre, contributing positively to its vitality once again.”
The Art Deco building opened in 1921 and was a luxury cinema and theatre for more than four decades.
The cinema seated up to 1,200 people and also had a ballroom and stage facilities.
Following its closure in 1964, the building was run as a restaurant, bingo hall, café bar, pub and nightclub.
A council officer’s report said the site was in a “highly sustainable” location close to public transport hubs, services and facilities.
The officer said: “A significant public benefit of the proposal is that it would secure the long-term use, occupation and maintenance of a building of local interest, preventing further deterioration and ensuring its continued contribution to the character and appearance of Castleford town centre.
“The introduction of residential accommodation would also increase activity and support the vitality and viability of the wider town centre.”