Old cinema office plans thrown out

A controversial plan to transform the old cinema site into an office building was unanimously rejected by the Royal Borough last night.

Members of the Maidenhead development control panel declared the plan (pictured) was overdevelopment of the Bridge Avenue site and even went one step further by serving a section 215 order, instructing owners CBRE Investors, to demolish the eyesore.

The Waterways Restoration Group had vehemently opposed the plan, saying it could scupper their multi-million pound vision of a navigable York Stream through the centre of town.

Richard Davenport, trustee of the Waterways Restoration Group, told The Advertiser: "We are delighted on behalf of the Waterways Restoration Group - common sense has prevailed."

Campaigner Suzy Kirkwood had also gathered 1,000 petitions against the plan.

CBRE last night refused to comment on the decision.

See next week's Advertiser for more.