It's official KICC will not be appealing. Here's the Picture Palace Campaign's response to today's Streatham Guardian article:
The Picture Palace campaign (PPC) is delighted to learn that the KICC does not intend to appeal and has finally acknowledged that the local wishes and views of 3500 residents who objected to the change of use application, and the views of Bromley, Croydon and Lambeth councils should be respected.
We also welcome KICC's further indication that the church is now considering a variety of building use options that will most benefit the whole community. We now expect KICC to follow up on this commitment by entering into meaningful dialogue which will lead to action which reflects the interests and concerns of the whole community, rather than a particular group.
The PPC wishes to work with KICC to find a mutually acceptable outcome but one which also clearly recognises that 25 Church Road should only be used for permissible activities which contribute to the cultural and economic regeneration of 25 Church Road and the town centre.
We hope that KICC will now respect the fact that the building's D2 classification will only allow for permissible uses such as a cinema, concert hall, bingo hall or casino, or dance hall.
Our ambition to develop a professional run cinema to provide a sorely needed cultural resource for the whole community is shared by others.
Almost 7,000 members of the local community signed our petition supporting our campaign which is also being followed by facebook groups with over 6,000 members from across the world.
The UK's leading independent cinema provider has confirmed interest in the site and we would hope that KICC will enter into discussions with them.