A cinema for Crystal Palace?

Latest -

May 2010

Last December Bromley Council refused Kingsway International Christian Centre's (KICC) application to change the planning status of 25 Church Road from entertainment/leisure to place of worship. Since then, the Picture Palace Campaign, which supports the reinstatement of a cinema on the site, has been raising funds in anticipation of an appeal. The deadline for such an appeal – Monday 21 June – is now fast approaching.

KICC's planning agent has stated that the church is not going to appeal and has not decided what to do with the building, but is looking into the possibility of turning it into an entertainment venue. The Picture Palace Campaign has stated that in this case it 'would appreciate an opportunity to work with the church to ensure any future developments are discussed with the whole community in mind'.

In the event that the church does submit a last-minute appeal, the Campaign is in the process of instructing a planning barrister.

The Campaign plans to hold another public meeting after the 21 June appeal deadline has passed.

December 2009
On 17 December Bromley Council’s Planning Committee rejected Kingsway International Christian Centre’s application to turn the former Gala Bingo Hall into a church. See www.picture-palace.org for further details.

You can see CPCA’s objection to the Change of Use of 25 Church Road here (opens in new window).

The Gala bingo hall at 25 Church Road, SE19 has been sold to an evangelical church. It is understood that an independent cinema operator also put in an offer that was not accepted. The art deco building was originally built in 1928 as a cinema, its beautiful interior designed by the renowned cinema architect George Coles. It currently has a designated D2 planning use (cinema/bingo).

THEN: the Rialto in the 1940s
NOW: a series of protests were held outside the building in June

The church aims to relocate its congregation from Wimbledon, and will shortly submit a planning application to Bromley Council for change of use from community use to a place of worship. Bromley’s Advisory Panel for Conservation Areas (APCA), upon which the CPCA sit, will consider the application before it goes to Bromley Planning.

A campaign has been set up to persuade Bromley to retain the building’s current usage, in the belief that restoring the building as a cinema would support the regeneration and economic growth of the area, and provide an amenity which all members of the community can enjoy.

The campaign is also concerned at the prospect of increased traffic congestion and parking issues that would occur if the premises were used as a place of worship for large numbers of people from outside the area.

More details can be found on the campaign’s website:
www.picture-palace.org

(Thanks to The Transmitter for the protest photo)

Cinema - Press and Comment:

Local Comment (feeling listless):
Interview with Louise Ferguson of the Crystal Palace Picture Palace Campaign

Local press (Streatham Guardian):
Croydon Council reject Crystal Palace cinema conversion plans

Local press (Your Local Guardian):
Fresh hope for Crystal Palace cinema campaigners

Local comment (Movie Talk):
Couch Potato Moved by Movie House Campaign

Local comment (The Transmitter):
Cinema campaign meeting -venue packed

Local press (Croydon Guardian):
Church application for Crystal Palace 'cinema' site invalid

Local press (Croydon Guardian):
Church submits planning application for Crystal Palace 'cinema' site

National press (The Independent):
John Walsh: God wants you wealthy – and he'd also like your cinema and a fast car

Local comment (The Bedside Crow):
Built for a Purpose. Bring Back the Rialto.

[back to top]

Latest stories

CPCA responds to Bromley's 'Core Strategy' consultation Posted - December 2011

The London Borough of Bromley has begun the process of producing their 'Core Strategy' document for the Borough. This document will help determine the long-term planning strategy for the Borough and its conclusions will be incorporated into their Local Development Framework (LDF) - a replacement for the current Unitary Development Plan (UDP).

>> Full story here

Upper Norwood Library faces closure and sale after Croydon withdraw funding Posted - November 2011

The unilateral decision by Croydon Council to 'terminate' the Upper Norwood Library Joint Agreement was, according to Croydon, the direct consequence of '...fundamental breach of the agreement by Lambeth Council'. Such breach, according to Croydon, was the refusal by Lambeth Council 'to attend the last Annual General Meeting and failing to co-operate at the 2010 meeting.'

>> Full story here

Re-run AGM farce as Croydon refuses to honour Joint Library Agreement Posted - September 2011

Croydon Council's continuing failure to meet the terms of their partnership agreement with Lambeth Council, caused yet another meeting of The Upper Norwood Joint Library Committee to be abandoned last Thursday, the 15 September, when more than seventy people attended the Library Annual General Meeting, where the future of the 111-year old Library was to be considered.

>> Full story here

CPCA to challenge Secretary of State's approval for 180 luxury flats in Crystal Palace Park Posted - January 2011

Following the Secretary of State's Formal Decision to grant planning permission to the LDA Masterplan application for Crystal Palace Park, the CPCA have been advised that there are powerful legal grounds to challenge this in the High Court. It is currently preparing evidence and other material to tight deadlines and urgently considering the matter of costs.

>> Full story here

Park sell out goes ahead as Secretary of State gives ok for luxury housing on Crystal Palace Park Posted - August 2010

Following a 6 week local public inquiry last year, and despite concerted opposition, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (the S of S) has endorsed the Inspector's report and is 'minded' to grant permission to the planning application for the LDA Masterplan.

>> Full story here

LDA Park master plan - a poison chalice? Posted - July 2010

Together with the long awaited publication of the Report to the Secretary of State by the Inspector Alan Novitzky on the LDA Masterplan Application for Crystal Palace Park, London Mayor Boris Johnson has announced that under his Proposals for Devolution, the LDA will cease to exist.

>> Full story here

Hundreds celebrate library 110-year anniversary Posted - July 2010

The Upper Norwood Library, which opened on July 4th 1900, celebrated its 110-year anniversary on 4th and 5th of July 2010, with hundreds taking part in the celebrations.

The July 4th American Independence theme was reflected in the boots and stetsons sported by visitors enjoying Hillbilly musicians, a whip-cracker, jugglers, a stilt-walker, an escapologist, can-can dancers, a Punch and Judy show, and a flea-circus, all equally popular with parents and children.

>> Full story here

What is the Upper Norwood Joint Library? Posted - July 2010

The Upper Norwood Joint Library (UNJL) serves a well-defined and diverse local community; a catchment area that encompasses elements of no fewer than 5 local authorities. It is a unique 'bespoke' service, managed by its own Joint Committee, which is comprised of four councillors from each of the two boroughs (Croydon and Lambeth) that financially support the library, together with two community representatives. However, uncertainties of funding and governance have persistently plagued the library over many years.

>> Full story here

Croydon Leader's letter threatens Library's future Posted - July 2010

During acrimonious exchanges between Lambeth and Croydon Councillors at the Upper Norwood Joint Library Committee AGM on 30th June 2010, Croydon Cllr Sara Bashford (Selsdon and Ballards and Cabinet member for customer services, culture and sport), with impeccable timing, said Croydon is not trying to control the UNJL committee to implement cuts.

>> Full story here

The Upper Norwood Library - Croydon's political football Posted - July 2010

In a remarkable demonstration of solidarity, campaigners fighting for the future of 110-year-old Upper Norwood Library packed the main chamber of the Salvation Army Hall, Westow Street, on Wednesday 30th June 2010 for the AGM of the Upper Norwood Library Joint Committee.

>> Full story here

Older news
Please see our Archive pages