Queensgate puts in second cinema application

Peterborough city councillors will on Tuesday consider the proposals which are exactly the same as the ones they approved back in September when it also gave the green light to a £100 million cinema-led revamp of the derelict North Westgate site.

North Westgate developers, Hawksworth Securities, has since gone to the High Court to demand a judicial review of the council’s decision.

It claims there is only sufficient demand to support the development of one new cinema in Peterborough city centre and that the council failed to determine whether the granting of planning permission for the Queensgate scheme would render the North Westgate scheme unviable.

To address that point, the latest Queensgate application includes a comparative analysis of the viability of both schemes.

The council has defended its decision to approve both cinema-led developments saying it would improve, expand and enhance the city’s cultural and leisure offering and improve its economy.

Guy Thomas, head of retail asset management at Lendlease, asset managers at Queensgate, said: “We have the full support of John Lewis, Next and Odeon, and demand for the new retail and restaurant units outstrips supply.

“Furthermore, our previous consultation highlighted the strength of support from the residents and visitors alike.

“The extension will help make the city centre an even more appealing location, join together Peterborough, with improved access between the station and Cathedral Square, and create employment. Funding is in place and we are ready to begin work immediately due to no lengthy and costly land acquisition needing to be undertaken.”

The £100 million proposals for North Westgate include a four star hotel, homes and restaurants. However, Hawksworth says the project is reliant on a cinema.