The cinema closed in December 2001 after 80 years

They voted by six votes to four to in favour of plans to convert the building in Whiteladies Road.

The ABC picture house, which closed in 2001, has been the subject of a vigorous campaign by local residents who wanted it preserved as a cinema.

Developer Medinbrand expects to plough �1m into turning the building into a gym to be run by leisure firm LA Fitness.

But because the building, which opened in 1921, is protected, the club will have to be a 'dry' one, meaning no swimming pool, steam room or sauna can be included.

The Save the ABC campaign group says there are already three health clubs on or within a short distance of Whiteladies Road, and believes the new venture is doomed to fail.

It wants the venue turned into an independent cinema, but previous owners the Odeon Group imposed a condition on the sale stopping films being shown there in the future.

On Wednesday, the group held a final protest outside the planning meeting to decide its fate.