Cromarty cinema gets the nod despite mixed views
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AMBITIOUS plans for a cinema and small business hub in Cromarty have been given the unanimous seal of approval by councillors – despite mixed views from residents.
The cinema, which will seat roughly 35 people, is to be built on a storage yard just to the east of the Slaughterhouse Cafe on the seafront.
It was given the green light at this week’s north planning applications committee.
The project, a joint development by the Cromarty Estate and Cromarty and Resolis Film Society, had sparked a mix of comment from the public, with planners receiving 14 letters in favour of the cinema, seven against and a further two who aired neutral views.
Those who wrote to support the project said the cinema would be a major asset to the community, save on the cost of travel to see films in Inverness and would provide an imaginative building on a vacant piece of land that is currently an ‘eyesore’.
There were also hopes the small cinema would build upon the community’s successful film festival and bring more people into Cromarty, while the small hub was praised for providing much needed office space for small businesses.
Critics, however, questioned the location close to the scenic Links area, worried that there was not enough car parking on site, and argued that Cromarty already has a number of vacant and under-used buildings. They worried that the business case for the cinema and hub was not sufficient and risked adding to the number of empty buildings in Cromarty.
Others argued that the project would be out of keeping with Cromarty’s historic architecture.
A report which went before this week’s committee said that Cromarty Community Council had taken a neutral stance over the proposals, but that a consultation it held with the public found that, out of 63 residents who responded, 37 supported the plans and 26 were opposed.
Recommending approval council planners said existing paths through the site would be maintained and added that the location within an area that is already fenced off meant there was a "perceptible distinction" between the yard site and wider Links area.
They added that the film society had looked at other existing venues for a possible cinema and found none were suitable, and added that Cromarty Estate had argued there was "a demand from local groups and businesses for office space".
Voting unanimously in favour of the plans, a number of councillors on the committee said it was an exciting project but also acknowledged some of the local reservations over the business case.
Dingwall and Seaforth councillor Margaret Paterson said that while some in the community had doubts over the cinema’s financial viability, she stressed that "the film society is active and forward-thinking and they will get the people".
Wick and East Caithness councillor Raymond Bremner also acknowledged local fears that the community might be left with "difficult buildings" if the development didn’t "quite work" but praised the application and gave his support to it.
And Dingwall and Seaforth councillor Angela Maclean said she believed the hub and cinema was "a venue that can be used by lots of different groups in the community" and would boost the neighbouring Slaughterhouse Cafe.
"This is an exciting development for Cromarty – it’s a cosmopolitan and very artistic community," she added.
