Residents have responded with outrage to news a proposed cinema for Whitstable would only show films of “local historical and community interest”.

Canterbury City Council held a consultation to gauge public opinion on how best to use the now-vacant South Quay Shed in the harbour – which is set to become a mixed-use community and commercial space.

The survey attracted responses from 1,094 residents, businesses and visitors – who were invited to vote for potential uses including a café, museum or cinema.

Figures published by the council have revealed the cinema option was by far the most popular, gaining votes from more than 90% of respondents.

But many who were keen to see a cinema return to the town have responded in anger to news the facility – far from being a full-time venue screening newly-released blockbusters – would be a pop-up cinema “showing films of local historical and community interest, previously discussed with the Harbour Board”.

A council spokesman wrote in a South Quay Shed progress report: “While the cinema option appears to be the most popular choice by far, the consultation did clarify this would be ‘part’ of the proposed mixed use of the development proposal.”

They added that at the Harbour Board annual public meeting this month, it was announced the former industrial building is unsuitable for a “mainstream” cinema, due to structural reasons including the lack of specialist insulation to achieve an acceptable acoustic performance.

Now, Cinema for Whitstable - a local group which has spent years campaigning for a permanent cinema in the town - has expressed concern over the council’s handling of the consultation.

Campaigner Chris Cornell said: “The idea that the council can reject the wishes of the people in this way is ludicrous. People filling out the survey chose a ‘cinema’ they could enjoy with their family, not some type of outdoor space exclusively showing films about the Forts.

“The people have spoken, this council should now listen.”

Simon Poole added: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the council to give the exciting new plans for the South Quay Shed a beating heart.

“The Harbour Board have it within their power to stipulate that an appropriate unit should be made available for conversion to a cinema.

“This will be something for the whole town to be proud of, driving footfall to the harbour throughout the year, not just in the summer months.”

The group now plans to publish fully costed plans for a South Quay Shed cinema, and has launched its own poll to clarify the community’s hopes for the facility.

MP Rosie Duffield took to Facebook to express her support for this, writing: “We believe that where there’s a will there’s a way – fill in this survey, being championed by local people, to clarify to the council what sort of cinema Whitstable really wants.”

Many residents have expressed disappointment over the plans.

Kerry Hilden, who voted for the cinema in the consultation, said: “I think it will be an absolute waste showing local historical films. The percentage of people that will want to see that certainly won’t be anything like 90% of the voters.”

Samantha Toland said: “Unless this cinema shows some up-to-date releases, it will go down in flames. I’d rather just pay to use the cinema in Canterbury – at least they have new releases.”

Council spokesman Rob Davies said it was made clear at the annual harbour board meeting that the site would not be suitable for a mainstream cinema.

He continued: “Unfortunately, despite this, the vigorous local campaign for a cinema continued and, if anything, intensified, and we are now in a position where many people are disappointed, which we can understand.”

Cllr Neil Baker said he doesn’t think plans for a cinema should be ruled out yet, adding: “No ideas should be blocked or limited at this early stage. To do so would run counter to the entire ethos of the South Quay Shed project. It would be sheer folly to reject the ideas of creatively-minded people for a project aimed at creativity.”

Plans to convert the former industrial building into a mixed-use space were given the go-ahead by the council’s planning committee on Tuesday.

The issue is set to come before the harbour board tomorrow (Friday), when Cinema for Whitstable hopes to put forward results of its poll.

He said: “I first met with Simon Poole about bringing cinema back to Whitstable about seven or so years ago. He clearly had passion, determination and the other skills needed to make his vision a reality. The chief problem was finding a location.

“The South Quay Shed scheme is meant to be about a variety of different uses, within a modular layout using shipping containers. There is absolutely no reason, in my mind at least, why one of the uses cannot be cinema.

“Nobody is talking about a massive multiplex, rather something offering a more intimate environment using one of, or a few of, the units within the overall scheme – not the courtyard area or the entire shed.