DEVELOPERS withdrew an application to build 23 residential units at the back of Worcester's Northwick Cinema just before a meeting of the city council's planning committee.
Planning officers had already recommended refusing the plan, which includes a change of use of the Grade II Listed building, on Northwick Road, from leisure to retail.
The application, which was described in a report by officers as "inappropriate" was expected to be turned down because it would result in inadequate car parking, open space and recreational needs as well as harming the character of Coombs Road.
Retail units
The plan, which proposed that the units be split into two blocks, each three storeys high with one fronting Coombs Road, also included two small retail units at the front of the cinema with the rest of the auditorium being used as a single retail unit.
The previous owner, Ian Perks, sold the Northwick Cinema, which was built in 1938, in February of this year.
The building boasts an Art Deco interior and the last remaining works by designer John Alexander.
It was a bingo hall from 1966 to 1982 but then stood empty until 1991 when Mr Perks ran it as a live music venue. It finally closed in 1996.
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