Concern over extension to Chester Odeon building

May 19 2008 by David Norbury, Chester Chronicle

A THREE storey extension to Chester’s grade ll listed art deco Odeon cinema building may not be built even if plans are approved.

The city’s planning board is due to hear on Wednesday (May 21) the service yard at the rear of the former cinema on which the extension is proposed is a legal access to the rear of properties on Hunter Street, King Street and Northgate Street.

Senior planning officer Nial Casselden says in a report: “Issues relating to rights of access are not a material planning consideration.

“This issue is a separate legal matter between two landowners.

“In the event of a grant of planning permission, the developer would have to obtain the agreement of all interested parties before being able to develop the land”.

He adds:“Such a person with a right of access over the land could therefore effectively prevent the development from taking place until such a time as agreement could be reached, if at all”.

Developers Hunter Street Ltd are seeking approval to demolish part of the end of the building to make way for a new ticket office, foyer and staircase.

The County Engineer objects on the grounds car parking would be lost, the right of access would be blocked and the scheme would be detrimental to the Northgate Development.

Planning officers have had 22 other objections.

Recommending the application should be approved, Mr Casselden believes the extension would be a high quality, contemporary addition to the building.

He accepts that in future, servicing would have to take place from the road but does not believe this would have an unacceptable effect on highway safety.

The board is due to consider the application at the request of Cllr Sandra Rudd (Lab, College).