Regent Cinema in Deal plan approved after eight years

Plans for a cinema for Deal have finally been approved but campaigners now fear there will be delays with its construction.Eight years after purchasing the freehold of The Regent in Beach Street, James Wallace and Mark Digweed have been granted consent for a two-screen attraction and restaurant.Decision makers, Dover District Council, have attached a number of conditions to the permission including that work must begin within three years.But despite stating last December that they hoped to conduct a 12-month renovation programme opening in 2020, the pair have not responded to KentOnline’s requests for more information about next steps.Campaign group Reopen The Regent has since questioned why there is no time limit for its completion.The group has fought to see the iconic seafront building opened and restored to its former use as a cinema after it closed its doors as a bingo hall in 2009.The approved plan was the second design the owners put forward since purchasing the freehold of the building in 2011. They described it as the most “viable scheme”.The first set included two options. Both had residential elements which proved unpopular with readers and ROTR members.The drawings were put to Dover District Council but were withdrawn in 2014 before it could be discussed by planners.The approved design received support from ROTR.It has no residential element and includes a 114 cover restaurant and bar plus a flexible third screen to be used for sports events.Permission also includes the re-landscaping of the public space in front of the Timeball Tower.Mr Wallace and Mr Digweed must now seek approval from DDC in terms of the materials used and submit both a construction management plan and management plan for the shared plaza.