Decision on new plan for Kington’s old cinema

Plans to turn a former cinema in a Herefordshire town into a function room and art gallery, and occasional cinema, have been given the go-ahead.

The application for planning permission to revive the Old Picture House in Bridge Street, Kington, was submitted in September by Keith Larratt, who lives at the venue and has already spent several years renovating it.

He plans to make it available for conferences, events and classes, though not parties or weddings. He had previously gained permission to turn the building into a jazz club, but did not put this into practice.

Kington town council supported his new plan and there were no objections from official consultees or the public.

It “would introduce a use that does not presently exist in the town and it would potentially add to its vitality”, planning officer Matthew Neilson concluded.

Though lacking on-site parking, public car parks lie “within easy walking distance” of the venue, as does public transport, he pointed out.

But he rejected a recommendation from the council’s transport officer to impose new cycle parking at the venue, saying this would “interrupt the unique character” of its frontage.

A condition with the permission limits the venue’s opening hours to between 10am and 11pm daily.