As we featured last month,Hurstwood Holdings has been granted planning permission, by unanimous decision, to redevelop the Heritage Arcade in Rossendale to provide 42 luxury two bed apartments with dedicated car parking and landscaped private gardens.
More images have been released , showing the plans and designs, How beautiful are they.
Designed by the Baldwin Design Consultancy, the plans will see the vacant building restored to its former grandeur whilst sensitively retaining many of its unique Art Deco features including the prominent façade. Stantec acted on behalf of Hurstwood as its planning advisor.
Situated on Bacup Road in Rawtenstall, the Heritage Arcade was originally The Picture House cinema in 1920 before being converted to a shopping arcade in the 1990s but has remained vacant for a number of years.
Sam Ashworth, Project Director at Hurstwood Holdings, comments: “We are delighted to have finally achieved planning for this important building after more than three years of close consultation with Historic England and support from Rossendale Borough Council. The Heritage Arcade is a significant part of Rossendale’s local history and we are really pleased that we are able to bring this important building back to life.”
Sam continues: “As a company, we have grown significantly over the last few years with a commercial and residential portfolio spanning across England, Scotland and Wales and together with our other Rossendale scheme, Newchurch Meadows – a luxury development of 30 new homes – we are pleased to be back developing in the region.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Hisory of the old Cinema
Located in Rawtenstall, south of Burnley, Lancashire. The Picture House was opened on 29th December 1920 with “The River’s End” and “The Cruise of the Make Believes”. It has an attractive façade, faced in white terra cotta. Inside the auditorium seating was provided for 1,309 in stalls and circle levels. The proscenium was 30 feet wide. It was equipped with a Western Electric(WE) sound system. There was also an organ installed (possibly a ‘straight’ church type instrument).
In December 1960 it was taken over by the Leeds based Star Cinemas chain, and they closed the Picture House in 1975. It was quickly taken over by the Unit Four Cinemas chain, and the cinema was split into 4-screens, seating 121, 118 & 165 & 118. It was re-named Unit Four Cinemas.
It was closed on 10th May 1984. It was reopened by an independent operator, but operating just one 121 seat screen and a snooker club. Two further changes of operator followed and it finally closed in early-1996.
For more information on the new Heritage Arcade visit: www.hurstwoodholdings.com
