Published: 27 February, 2014
by DAN CARRIER

THE battle over the future of the former North London Polytechnic building in the heart of Kentish Town has led to objectors arguing that offering a cinema on the ground floor is a sweetener to get permission to build an overbearing extension on the roof.

Lewis Durham, of top-selling rhythm and blues act Kitty, Daisy and Lewis, have filed objections at the Town Hall, warning that the developers were using the idea of a cinema to sell an idea that would otherwise not be passed. 

The guitarist, who lives in Kentish Town, wrote: “The cinema is being used to mislead residents. It is a very small space and is hearsay whether it will be commercially viable as a cinema.” 

His views were echoed by his father, Graeme and sister Daisy, who have also objected.

The majority of responses received by the Town Hall’s planning department, however, are in favour of the proposals, with messages of support received from film director Ben Turner, Observer columnist Carole Cadwalladr, novelist Lottie Moggach, screenwriter Simon Booker and film critic Larushka Ivan-Zadeh.

The former Poly, built in 1927, closed last year after being used as a Pizza Express for a decade. It is currently home to a squatted arts collective.

Owners Redview originally applied to knock the building down and replace it with flats, but had their scheme was thrown out. They have now returned with two applications – one asks for permission to build a single-storey extension on the roof, which would see the ground floor let out to the highest bidder as a shop.

The second application includes a two-storey extension at the top of the building – but with the promise the ground floor would become a single- screen art house cinema. Independent film company Shortwave have said they are willing to run the venue.

Neighbour Anthony Cogham, who lives in Kelly Street, says the plans would wreck the look of a much-loved building. He wrote: “The development would appear as an over-dominant feature in the townscape and would fail to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the existing and adjacent buildings.”

But the Kentish Town Neighbourhood Forum have written in support of the scheme – on the proviso that the council write into any planning permission a legally binding agreement that the ground floor is used for a cinema.

David Kelly of Shortwave, who has curated film festivals at the London Irish Centre in Camden Square for the charity Return to Aisling, told the New Journal if they get the go-ahead to run the cinema, it would have a “continental café-bar” and screen independent films, “tailored to local community interests”.

He added: “Having run a single-screen, independent cinema bar, we want to identify areas where there is strong demand for something similar. We are not a faceless chain looking to expand its portfolio; we are an independent cinema with a proven track record.”

Mr Kelly added: “The developers have submitted an acoustics report drawn up by specialists and we would comply fully with it if chosen to run a cinema on that site.”

The deadline for responses to the application passes tomorrow (Friday).