Odeon flat plan rejected (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Odeon flat plan rejected

7:30am Tuesday 19th June 2007 in News By Alex Lewis

THE future of the former Odeon cinema building in London Road is clouded in uncertainty after plans to demolish it in favour of flats were defeated.

An independent inspector who heard a public inquiry has ruled against owner Wattsdown's proposal to convert the 1931 art decau building into 20 flats.

Campaigners hope the cinema, derelict since closure in 1995, could be successfully restored like the Rex in Berkhamsted, but the inspector found this had "little realistic prospect."

However, despite significant changes from a previous plan defeated at a public inquiry in 2005, he ruled against the Wattsdown proposal.

He said that while the new design had solved the problem of overlooking homes in Lower Paxton Road, it failed to provide an aesthetically pleasing substitute for the Odeon.

His report concludes: "I find it hard to see any enhancement in the design and materials.

"The form of the building appears somewhat austere."

The Odeon's status as a locally listed building in a conservation area prevents its demolition unless plans for an acceptable replacement are in place.

Marion Hammant of the St Albans Civic Society said: "I am very pleased with this result - the Odeon is still hanging on by a thread.

"Knocking down a great solid building like that would be a terrible waste of energy and resources, as well as being very disruptive - it would be so much better to restore it."

Businessman James Hannaway, who masterminded the Rex restoration, has said he would like to do a similar job on the Odeon, but the formidable obstacles include a contractual covenant preventing it from showing films again.