|
|
|
Bingo hall refit fight rages on
THE multi-million pound renovation of the borough's famous former bingo hall will come before a planning committee tonight (Thusday) - but the battle between the applicants and the council is far from over.
Islington Council has already granted planning permission for the bingo hall, in Essex Road, to be turned into a church and community venue. But to help finance the project, owners Resurrection Manifestations submitted a further application in May 2009 for a seven-storey block of 44 flats - none of which would be "affordable".
Islington Council claims technical difficulties have prevented the application being heard earlier but the church has submitted an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate over the amount of time the council has taken.
A spokesman for the church said: "The council has dragged its feet and we have brought a case of non-determination against them."
The appeal has forced the council to rush the application through the planning process at a Town Hall meeting tonight - where the committee is expected to refuse it on the advice of planning officers.
Councillor Paul Convery, Islington Council's executive member for regeneration and leisure, said: "The committee has to take a decision before it goes to the planning inspectorate, as if it is refused the reasons will form the backbone of our argument. This is Grade II* listed building. We don't believe this application will preserve the building's character."
The historic building has been empty since Mecca Bingo moved out in March 2007. Evangelical church Resurrection Manifestations bought it for a rumoured £5million and wants to restore the 2,300 capacity bingo hall as state-of-the-art theatre, cinema, conference centre and community venue. English Heritage has placed the building on the "at risk" register.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|