Owners of former Odeon in Crouch Street lose appeal over flats

Blumarble Property Management, which owns the site of the former cinema in Crouch Street, submitted plans in 2020 to demolish the site and build 55 apartments and two retail units in its place.

The plans were rejected by councillors in August 2021.

Blumarble, which has owned the old Odeon site since 2015, launched an appeal against Colchester Council’s decision.

An inspector has now reviewed the plans and upheld the council's ruling.

In his report inspector David Smith said the bid would “not preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the conservation area.”

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The cinema, which was designed by architect Cecil Masey, closed down in 2002.

Mr Smith said the building, which he described as being in a “sorry state”, was a “reminder of the heyday of this type of entertainment.”

He said: “The former cinema nevertheless makes a positive contribution to this part of the conservation area because of its interesting and slightly exotic design.

The Odeon cinema in its heyday

“It also occupies a considerable proportion of the southern side of this part of Crouch Street.

“This thoroughfare retains a strong historic character by virtue of the tightly packed buildings along it which are a mixture of ancient and more recent.”

The boarded up site has been marketed on and off since 2005 but has not attracted interest.

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Mr Smith said regenerating the site “would end a lengthy period of stagnation” and would be “beneficial to the city”.

But he said the demolition of the cinema would “result in the total loss of all of its value as a building.”

Blumarble had planned to include a Spanish-style front to the new building to replicate its Moorish design.

The former Odeon all lit up at night

But Mr Smith said: “Whilst acknowledging the original, this rebuilding would not be a faithful facsimile.”

He added: “The loss of a large and prominent building would also have a negative impact on the conservation area.”

Previous £10million proposals would have seen the frontage saved with 57 apartments as well as retail units built.

However, in 2018 the proposals hit the rocks with owner Matt Ellis saying they were no longer financially viable.

A spokesman for Colchester Council said: “The Inspector’s decision reflects the complexity of this city centre site within a conservation area, that contains a unique locally listed building.

“The proposed block of flats, set behind a reproduction frontage, was found to be too tall and contextually inappropriate to this historic location within the city conservation area. The relevant legal test set out within the conservation area legislation is a requirement to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the area. The scale of harm identified by the inspector was found to outweigh the public benefits of the scheme.

“The council has acknowledged the challenging abnormal costs and viability that led to the appeal and welcomes the further clarity provided by this decision, which is helpful to all parties.

“We would encourage the developers to review their options and discuss alternative proposals with our planning service, so we can work collaboratively to secure a positive outcome for this important regeneration site.”

Blumarble were contacted for comment.

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