A developer's plan for a former Wetherspoon's pub and hidden cinema has been described as a "bleak, prison-like warehouse for people" that could further fuel gentrification in the area.
Last week developers Landrose, which bought St George's Hall in Redfield from Wetherspoon's several months ago, submitted a planning application to build 44 bedsits in the building. Local residents who have been campaigning for the Church Road building to be put into community use and for the hidden cinema to be restored are hoping that the council will reject the application.
The group of residents, whose proposals for the historic building gained cross party support from local councillors and whose petition gathered over 9,000 signatures, believe there is still a chance to stop the development from going ahead. So far 28 objections have been raised on the council’s planning portal, despite the hurdle of ongoing maintenance issues over the last week that have made it more difficult for members of the public to submit comments.
