CIRENCESTER’S Brewery Court is to be given a drastic overhaul following Cotswold District Council‘s decision to grant planning permission for a new cinema and entertainment complex.

The four screen cinema at the northern edge of the Brewery Car Park will be joined by six retail units, four restaurants and a 110-bed hall of residence for students of the Royal Agricultural University.

Supporters and objectors alike crammed into the CDC chambers on Wednesday, November 13 to listen to the planning committee debate and deliver its final verdict.

Oli Christie, founder of Cirencester-based technology firm Neon Play, told the committee that, without a cinema, the town is losing money to its neighbours Cheltenham and Swindon.

He said: “The lack of a cinema is a real issue, every town has one except for Cirencester. After 5pm, Cirencester just dies as a town, there is a real lack of things for young people to do”

Oli’s words were matched by Wildmoor Properties director Mark Booth, who said: “The site is crying out for development. You can virtually see the tumbleweed blowing down the street.”

The committee also heard objections from residents who believed that the development would have a detrimental impact on life in Cirencester.

Corinne Lamus told the chamber that “Cirencester deserves better” in terms of the cinema’s architecture and that the town’s car parks would not be able to cope with the inevitable influx of people.

She said: “Without increased parking this will not be optimally effective and will also increase pressure on street parking which will impact all local residents.

“A cinema might be a welcome amenity but because of a lack of daytime parking availability, is unlikely to achieve optimal financial viability.”

Although CDC officers recommended that the proposal be refused on the grounds that it “would fail to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of Cirencester town centre”, committee members voted in favour of overturning the decision.

Cllr Margaret Rickman (Lib Dem, Chesterton) said: “I am not going to sit on any fences, I think this is a really exciting development for Cirencester.”

Shortly after the decision was passed, Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown issued a statement commending the result.

He said: “This will provide much needed additional activities for younger people so that they have a wider range of options to enjoy in the town, rather than having to travel to cities further away.

“I am absolutely delighted that everybody has pulled together to secure a really good future for the town.”

What do you think of the new cinema? Leave your comments below.