News / Arts
No Whiteladies Picture House judicial review
Plans to return the Whiteladies Picture House to a cinema can now once again proceed after the campaigner who threatened a second judicial review withdrew his challenge.
Writing on Facebook, David Fells said:
“Hello Everyone – I have now had the response to the ‘pre-action protocol letter that I had submitted to the Council’ – the council’s response does not explain why they have deviated from planning policy and in doing so have put developers profit ahead of the preservation of a listed building. Their defence is simply that, in their opinion, it is within their rights to do so.
“I would like to take this matter to court to allow a judge to consider all of the facts around the case however over the Christmas Holidays my wife and I received some news that means our financial situation will change over the coming year. I am, therefore, no longer in a situation whereby I can fund the JR and so I’m afraid this is the end of our journey.
“Whether you agree with the planning decision or not I believe that the Bristol planning department’s handling of this case and others (such as the Aston Gate Stadium, Avonmouth bio-mass boiler and Ebenezer Chapel in Old Market) highlight serious issues with how Bristol planners currently carry out their work. As a city, Bristol deserves better, and I hope that at some point in the future the Council will come together and work on improving this service so that the public can trust that all of the information being put forward is accurate and correct.
“Thanks again for everyone’s support over the years.”
The derelict listed building can now be turned into a new three-screen cinema run by Everyman with six flats built within as part of the development.
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