PLANS for a new cinema in Cirencester will be “moving forward”, developer Mark Booth announced today at a meeting to decide on amendments to the scheme.

Wildmoor Property Management Ltd will however have to start demolition works in Brewery Court before planning consent for the £48million project expires tomorrow (Friday, November 24).

If works are not started by then, a new planning application will need to be submitted to Cotswold District Council (CDC)

But managing director of Wildmoor Mark Booth is confident that his firm will be able to make the required start by tomorrow.

Once groundwork is underway, the project could be completed within 15 months, Mr Booth also confirmed.

The proposed development in Brewery Court, approved by CDC in November 2014, was originally planned to be complete in summer this year. It includes a four-screen cinema, six shops, four restaurants and a 110-bed student accommodation.

Today, CDC’s planning committee unanimously approved non-material amendments to the planning application and agreed Wildmoor had ‘partly-complied’ with requirements in its condition compliance application.

Mr Booth told councillors: “If these applications are approved today, the intention is to commence (work) immediately.

“You might ask why it’s taken three years to get to this stage. Firstly, there's the negotiations regarding land ownership, which has now been concluded.

“Secondly, there is no ignoring the impact Brexit has had in initially creating a period of uncertainty over investors and potential occupiers.

“Thirdly, since permission was granted, the cinema has refined its operational requirements which has led to some redesign and we are in discussion about these.

“(The work) will start with a phase of demolition of existing buildings to allow for additional investigations. This will be followed with a site preparation and groundworks, and we expect it to be completed within 15 months of commencement of groundworks.

“We now have a binding contract with a national cinema operator. We also have occupiers for three other restaurant units.

“I have committed to scheduling a series of stakeholder meetings to brief them on the progress of the project.

“This is a complex development that has considerable challenges, I have been through the process previously on four significant projects in the heart of the town and have therefore heavily invested in the future of Cirencester.

“It matters to me that the town continues to thrive. It is vital that Brewery Court is (developed) as quickly as possible to strengthen the town centre and the evening economy.

“There has been confusion and uncertainty about the scheme from the general public and potential occupiers and this is an opportunity today to send a clear message that this project is moving forward.”

The Standard has been made to understand that Everyman Media Group has re-committed to the scheme, having backed out of a deal in November last year.

Ordinarily, the type of applications discussed at the meeting would have been delegated to planning officers, but the applications needed to be presented to the planning committee, under council policy, because CDC currently owns the land involved.