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Former glory: Westminster Theatre in 1968 |
Block on new offices provides a lifeline
for historic theatre
Developers told they must honour original commitment to restore venue
A HISTORIC theatre famed for its daring productions has been rescued from the brink of extinction after planning chiefs blocked proposals to build offices in its place.
Campaigners in Theatreland are breathing a sigh of relief after the ruling last week that forced developers to honour their original commitment to restore Westminster Theatre to its former glory as a thriving off-West End venue.
Proposals for the site in Palace Street, just around the corner from Victoria Station, which included an eight-storey block of 32 flats as well as the redeveloped 1930s theatre, were approved in 2006.
But half-way through the the rebuild, developers Yolanda Ltd, put the brakes on the work, and said they could not find a tenant for the 500-seat venue and would instead rent out the space as offices.
Planning sub-committee chairman Robert Davis stood firm, saying the theatre was “an important cultural and social facility”.
The decision has been heralded as a victory for campaigners, who fought a long and unsuccessful battle to save the building from demolition in 2002.
John Levitt from Save London’s Theatres Campaign said: “We are very pleased with the decision and I’m glad the council stood firm on this.
Historically, Westminster Theatre has been very important. It has staged plays that might not get a chance elsewhere, and a lot of stars made their names there.
“It’s very rare that we have new theatres built in the middle of London and I see this as a big opportunity. Talk of the rent was worrying and I just hope they offer a proper lease so it can be run as a proper off-West End theatre.”
Cllr Davis, said: “Alterations to plans for the extension of Westminster Theatre at 12 Palace Street were rejected on November 6. We felt that the proposed alterations allowing bigger units on the fifth and eighth floors were too bulky and were rejected on design grounds.
“The application for change of use was also refused because it would mean losing the theatre, which we feel is an important cultural and social facility and is protected under the planning policies of the council.”
Although the original Westminster Theatre had a reputation for breaking new acts and directors including Martita Hunt, Cedric Hardwicke and John Barton, it was criticised by some in the theatre world for its poor acoustics and uncomfortable seating arrangements, owing to its former incarnation as a cinema.
Westminster Theatre was originally built as the Charlotte Chapel in 1766 and was altered and given a new frontage for use as St James’s Picture Theatre in 1924.
After radical alterations it became a theatre in 1931. Then, following a series of new owners came two further remodels in the 1960s.
The curtain fell on Westminster Theatre in 2002 after a six-year campaign to save it. Soon after demolition started for the first time, a fire broke out on the site, leaving only the dressing rooms standing.
Nobody from Yolanda Ltd was available for comment. |
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