An amateur dramatic group has submitted a third planning application to build a first floor extension for use as a rehearsal studio.
Wilmslow Green Room Theatre on Chapel Lane does not currently have a dedicated rehearsal room, which causes severe limitations as rehearsals must take place in the same area as performances. Hence each production has to wait for performances to finish before commencing rehearsals - which limits the numbers of performances which can be presented each season. It also means that construction work for the scenery can only take place at times when the auditorium is not needed for rehearsals.
Wilmslow Green Room have twice been refused planning permission to build a first floor extension, to enable them to construct a dedicated rehearsal studio, on the grounds that the proposed extension would be overbearing and reduce the extent of sunlight to the neighbouring property at 83, Chapel Lane.
In this third application the rehearsal studio is at the back of the building, above the scenery store, rather than at the front of the property as previously proposed.
This latest planning application states "The intention is that it will promote improved standards of performance and production values. It should also allow additional productions to be introduced within the season thereby promoting greater involvement for a larger number of people and improving the financial stability of the Society. It could also allow other organisations to make use of the auditorium and improve the availability of the building for the Youth Group."
The proposal includes demolishing the prefabricated scenery store at the rear of the building and constructing a new scenery store, together with a wardrobe store, at ground floor level. The rehearsal studio would be above the new scenery store.
Whilst the ridge of the new construction would be higher than the existing auditorium, the application states that "it would be no higher than the adjoining buildings fronting Chapel Lane".
The planning application can be viewed on the Cheshire East Council website by searching for planning reference 14/5159M.
The deadline for submitting comments is 24th December and a decision is expected to be made by 7th January 2015.
