Raynor Rowen to rethink Urmston cinema plan
Plans to convert the former Curzon Cinema into 42 apartments have been withdrawn while the developer “explores design options”.
Rayner Rowen Developments submitted proposals to convert the former Curzon cinema in Urmston late last year.
However, the application has now been withdrawn as the developer looks to rework the scheme.
Documents detailing consultations with various statutory consultees shine some light on why the developer might want to rework its proposals.
Peter Belfield, Trafford Council’s environmental health officer said the project “would not appear to be currently supportable”, due to complaints that might arise from the scheme’s future residents in relation to noise and odours from nearby takeaways.
“The agent of change principle in current planning guidelines places the burden on managing the impact of nuisance on the developer who is introducing a new land use,” according to a consultation letter sent by Belfield.
No date for a resubmission has been provided.
Located off Princess Road, the cinema was operational from 1936 to 2008 and is currently occupied by Flixton Dance Academy, which is due to close.
A planning statement prepared by consultancy Maddox states that the conversion would have provided an “innovative and sympathetically designed residential apartment scheme over five floors, retaining and sensitively restoring the art deco frontage of the former cinema building”.
Designed by Patrick Wilson Architects, the Urmston development would have seen the building’s frontage retained.
The rest of the building, which is not listed, would have been demolished.
Two parallel extensions would be constructed to the rear of the cinema building, housing the majority of the properties.
All of the apartments would be available for shared ownership in partnership with a registered provider, understood to be Southway Housing Trust.
Despite being withdrawn, the plans can still be viewed by searching for reference number 109879/FUL/22 on Trafford Council’s planning portal.
Preston-based Rayner Rowen Developments is part of Rayner Rowen Construction.
The company is involved in schemes across a variety of asset classes including residential, offices, and industrial.
The residents would (hopefully) notice the takeaways before they choose to purchase or rent a property. Plus there are already residential units directly above the takeaways. Do they expect the developer to pay the takeaways to leave?
By Albert
This is a shame. My mistake was not to submit comments in support of the scheme. Derelict buildings need to be brought back into use and people need places to live. This development would have been excellent for Princess Road. The development is 10 minutes from a train station so should not put off individuals/couples/starter families. You wouldn’t get any more car parking spaces in other major UK towns and cities in 2023. Our communities have to get used to not having multiple cars per family. I do hope the development can happen. Perhaps taking the top storey of flats off would be less imposing but I’m a local person who supports the plan.
By RM
There were some issues with cycle parking and security, but the real issue in this area is the roundabout. It now carries so much traffic avoiding congestion on the M60 that it needs to be changed to a controlled junction, preferably CYCLOPS design like others around Greater Manchester. There are so many people struggling to cross at this point. And the 1930s dual carriageway system needs a rethink. And then there’s all the hospital parking along Bowfell Road – that needs to be stopped so that cycle lanes can be built.
By Flixton resident
Bring it back as community picture house it was alway a big part of our community
By Georgiag Azam
There is already a problem with lack of infrastructure in the area and parking is a nightmare. The original application was for too many flats with no thought for surrounding residents. The area was also flooded again last week. The drains, road networks and hospital parking need addressing before new builds are erected. Trafford should bring existing vacant property back into use too.
By Katy
I would love it to be restored as a cinema that people can watch classic films or have events there, star wars/ star trek/ Disney/ musicals all sorts, the room which was the Bingo hall could become a room for the community, exercise classes, function rooms, crafts bingo, kids parties, baby groups. I just think it’s a shame to loose an iconic building to yet again housing!
By Deborah
Put it back as a Cinema for local residents because making it into housing is spoiling the area. I’m sure now people have had a taste of the Trafford Centre Cinema they’d much prefer to pay to keep a Cinema back where it belongs!
By Anonymous
Turning it back into a cinema would be excellent and give the community back the things it lost. As for blaming the hospital for all the extra vehicles parked on Bowfell Rd look no further than the sports centre. Since Trafford rejigged the car park and there are at least 10-20 spaces less now, hence all the parked cars on Bowfell etc.
By Bbrenda