New apartments could be built on land next to one of Nottingham’s most historic cinemas.
Land near the former Majestic Cinema building could be given a new lease of life after plans were submitted for seven apartments across three blocks in Woodborough Road, Mapperley.
Thew cinema, which was opened in 1929, is one of the only buildings of its kind by architect Alfred John Thraves which has survived.
The plans propose to retain the landmark Grade II listed building and build one apartment block next to it and two more behind it, without damaging the cinema’s “image nor its integrity”.
The cinema closed in 1953 and was later taken over by the Haunted Museum and Oddities in 2018.
But the museum moved to the city centre in 2021 and the building has not been used since.
In 2019 a developer applied to demolish the building and replace it with apartments, but there was uproar from the local community who started a campaign to save it.
After the campaign, Nottingham City Council added the former cinema to their list of Buildings of Historic Interest and it has since been granted Grade II listing status.
Now, applicant RAAM Properties Ltd has applied to Nottingham City Council to build the one and two-bedroom apartments around the vacant cinema site.
Planing documents stated: “The significance of this building as a piece of our heritage has been considered throughout the design phase.
“The proposed new buildings will not compromise its image nor its integrity. In fact, the investment in the site will be of significant benefit to the area in general and the listed building consequently.
“We believe that the requalification of this brownfield site, which has been vacant for a few years and is in a dilapidated state, will overall contribute to the conservation of the heritage asset for the foreseeable future.”
The plans will now be considered by Nottingham City Council.
