Major plans to revamp a town centre are “completely in limbo” as a council waits for a historic assessment of a former Mecca Bingo building.The Cinema Theatre Association (CTA) wrote to Historic England calling for the landmark, in Lower High Street, Ashford, to be given Grade II-listed status.
A decision on the application is yet to be made, leaving a huge question mark over Ashford Borough Council’s multi-million pound redevelopment plans for the site.
Council chiefs want to partially demolish the ex-Odeon as part of their plans for a public square and bars on the Vicarage Lane car park, but will have to rethink their scheme if the building is listed as it would become protected.
Historic England has now completed a site visit and a 21-day consultation, but is yet to submit its recommendation to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), which will have the final say on whether to award the listing.
The DCMS will usually agree with Historic England’s advice, but no set time frame has been given for when a decision will be issued.
Source: Plans to redevelop Ashford town centre held up by former Mecca Bingo site