By Hayley Robinson

Plans to transform the town’s former New Century Cinema in to a nightclub could still be on the cards.

Stephen Cross has lodged an appeal with the planning inspectorate after Swale Borough Council’s planning committee opposed his £1million plan to transform the old cinema in Sittingbourne High Street into a nightclub even though council planning officers had given it the thumbs up.

Members refused the application due to fears of anti-social behaviour and noise levels. But weeks later Swale council’s sub-licensing committee agreed to grant a new premises licence for the former cinema provided the establishment closes at 5am Thursday to Saturday and 3am Sunday to Wednesday.

The licence is for plays, films, music, dancing and sporting events including wrestling and boxing.

Mr Cross, of Eurolink Business Centre fruit packers, Cross and Wells, said: "We felt that they didn’t give enough consideration to the investment we were proposing, that we were bringing a vacant building back into public use and the fact that we had addressed in detail the management and operation of the club to ensure that we dealt fully with any potential for disturbance.

"We are intending to invest around £1million to redevelop the property and turn it into a two room club with an incredible walled garden. We will be providing the latest in sound and light systems, luxurious seating, amazing music, great drinks, superb food, the highest quality of service and a memorable atmosphere. If we do succeed at the appeal stage, we will be generating over 50 permanent jobs for local residents and of course there will be a large number of temporary jobs available during the fit-out."

Mr Cross says he has received ‘enormous support’ for the scheme and is keeping his fingers crossed that the appeal will work out in his favour.

He said: "I know a lot of people wrote to the Council in support of the application but the committee concentrated on the potential problems that they felt could be generated.

"We have therefore decided to submit an appeal to allow an Inspector to consider whether the decision made by Swale Council to refuse our application was justified.

"I very much hope that the Inspector accepts our views. If all goes well, we will be opening later this year."

Anyone wanting to comment on the plans should write before Monday, January 25, to the Planning Inspectorate, 3/14 Eagle Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN quoting reference APP/V2255/A/09/2118606/NWF