The restoration of a historic art deco cinema in north London could finally be completed after changes to the original plan were agreed. The redevelopment of the site to provide dozens of new flats, along with a four-screen cinema, had stalled after the previous builder “broke” before completion.
Originally granted planning permission by Harrow Council in 2022, the plan was set to deliver 78 flats – nine of which would be affordable – as well as cinema and a cafe. However, it was deemed “no longer feasible” due to changes to the London Plan’s fire safety requirements.
The plan changes, which were approved at a meeting of the council’s planning committee on Wednesday 24 July, mean there will be four more flats but a loss of all affordable housing – as their supply was deemed “unprofitable” – as well as the Café. The chair of the committee, Cllr Marilyn Ashton, said she “just wants it done”.
The locally listed art deco building at 77 Station Road is within the Harrow and Wealdstone Opportunity Area. It opened as the Dominion Cinema in 1936 but was renamed the ABC in 1962. At the time, its Art Deco exterior was covered with sheet steel to reduce maintenance costs. It became the Safari Cinema in 1995 until it closed in March 2020 due to the pandemic.
Plans were agreed in 2021 to demolish the auditorium for flats, while retaining the cinema and restoring the building’s original facade – which is already well on its way to completion. As of last week, council planning officers said the 78 apartments were “close to completion” but had remained unfinished due to problems with the developer.
Speaking to the committee, Cllr Ashton said: “This is against the backdrop of the collapse of the previous builder. (…) Rather than seeing this as an intellectual pursuit or academic assessment, which has been done, it is more about you pragmatically want to get this done.”
She added: “Another bonus is that we have tightened the requirement for the cinema, it was not so clear before. It is very important that we get it because it is a great community asset. (…) Of course we are disappointed that not get the money for the affordable (units) but from my perspective I just want this to be done.It looks great.
The four extra flats described in the amended scheme will mean a reduction of four two-bedroom flats and a further eight one-bedroom flats. This will mean the 82 apartments will consist of three studios, 25 one-, 39 two-, nine three- and six four-bedroom properties. Once completed, the cinema will reopen under its original name – The Dominion.
The plan was approved by four votes to two – Labor chairman Nitin Parekh and minister Peymana Assad – with one abstention. On his decision to vote against, Cllr Parekh told the committee he knew the reason but he “doesn’t want to explain it”.
Cllr Ashton responded to say she was “not comfortable” with that answer and pressed for a reason, which was not forthcoming. Cllr Parekh replied simply: “That is my right.”
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