Theatre not in demolition plan, councillors told

A town centre building is set to be demolished after plans were approved but a theatre on the same road is not part of the application, council officials have clarified.

Controversial proposals to knock down the Prince of Wales Theatre in Cannock, Staffordshire, came to light at the end of last year and sparked opposition from theatre supporters and community leaders.

On Wednesday, councillors approved the demolition of The Cabot which included a number of old retail units, on Church Street, as part of a revamp of the town centre.

But the theatre is not part of this application, a document presented at the committee said.

Demolishing the Prince of Wales would need need separate planning permission to proceed, Cannock Chase District councillors heard.

The idea came forward weeks after the planning committee previously agreed that the nearby Forum Shopping Centre could be pulled down as part of the town centre regeneration scheme.

On Wednesday, committee members unanimously approved demolishing The Cabot, which also contained a still open Halifax bank branch.

A report to the committee said: "The proposal, alongside the other town centre redevelopment work which has already commenced, will enable future redevelopment of this part of Cannock town centre."

Committee members were told The Cabot was set to be taken down "floor by floor".

Work could be stopped while services, such as weddings and funerals, were taking place at the nearby St Luke's Church.

Work to demolish The Cabot is expected to start soon after the removal of The Forum and would take about six months.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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