Planned Walsall cinema could expand

Cordwell Property Group announced earlier this year that a deal had been struck to open the nine screen Vue cinema in Littleton Street, next to Tesco, helping to create more than 200 jobs.

But new proposals will be put before planning chiefs on Thursday to increase the number of seats in the auditoriums by a total of 142, with the extra seating shared between the screens.

Seating would increase from 1,139 to 1,281, under the plans which would also increase the height of the cinema by about 4ft.

The proposals include a revised parking layout and replacing the planned ground floor box office with a large first floor box office and concessions area.

The plans have been recommended for approval but council regeneration officers have objected as they are concerned about the appearance of the cinema.

Other concerns have been raised that the car park could be available to any visitor in town and that there would not be enough spaces for disabled people.

A report to the planning committee states the potential for extra traffic had been considered.

Planning officers said that increasing the height of the development would be unlikely to have a detrimental impact on the surrounding area.

The report said: "The Littleton Street frontage height, is considered to be positive, helping to provide enclosure to the street scene.

"The addendum to the transport statement concludes that as a result of the increased cinema auditorium seats, peak hours on the road network and for the nearby supermarket it is likely to generate 10 additional two way trips in the afternoon peak and 11 two way trips at the weekend.

"This is considered to be negligible and on balance would not impact on the free flow and safety of highway users or the provision of available car parking within the vicinity."

Restaurant space and a number of units will also be built as part of the £12million project known as The Littleton Centre.

Together with the signing of Vue, Cordwell exchanged a development and funding agreement with London based partners Bride Hall.

It will fit in with the long-term £400m Gigaport scheme which aims to create a business and office corridor through the heart of the borough.

There are also plans for a second new cinema at Walsall Waterfront, which would be run by Light Cinemas under a separate scheme.