Housing and shops plan lodged for Wellington's former Clifton cinema

A scheme to transform Wellington's landmark cinema building has taken a major step forward – but will end all hope of it returning to its original use.

An artist's impression of how the housing and retail complex will look

The Clifton was last used as a cinema in the late 80s and campaigners have been working to get it back into use over the last few years.

Now a planning application has been lodged with Telford & Wrekin Council to get the building, in Bridge Road, opened again.

But the building would effectively be demolished except for its distinctive art-deco façade.

The site of the old Clifton cinema in Wellington is earmarked for transformation

Developer MCO Marylebone wants to build 52 flats and retail space on the site.

A report, submitted with the planning application, states: "In its place, our client proposes the erection of a four storey u-shaped building, with retail provided on the ground floor alongside customer parking to the front and resident parking and servicing within an under croft to the building.

"The residential will be provided on the upper floors, with a majority of these units having dedicated amenity space through private balconies.

"MCO Marylebone acquired the site in 2017 and consider there to be significant potential to bring this brownfield site back into economic use and to provide a significant number of new homes to serve Wellington.

"Importantly the scheme will retain the locally significant art-deco façade of the former Clifton Cinema."

Of the 52 homes, 23 of the properties would have one bedroom and 29 would have two bedrooms.

The report says that following the public consultation event, alterations were made to the proposed car parking arrangements.

According to the application, there would be 52 car parking spaces for residents, a further 19 spaces for the shops and three disabled parking bays.

Documents lodged with the application say around 202 people attended the public consultation event in October and about 90 per cent of the feedback was positive.

The team behind The Clifton Community Arts Centre group previously said they were disappointed they couldn’t reclaim it as a cinema, but added that they would still pursue the idea if it ever became available again.

Telford & Wrekin Council is expected to consider the planning application in the upcoming months.