Plans for the partial demolition of the former Regal Cinema in Broughty Ferry have been given the green light after a previous refusal.
Owners of West End Honda Garage, which operated within the former cinema, lodged plans in September to have the C-listed building demolished over safety concerns.
The business was forced to vacate its premises on Queen Street after assessments deemed the building’s structure dangerous.
The garage is still trading from its premises across the road
The initial demolition bid was refused by Dundee City Council after Historic Environment Scotland (HES) objected.
A spokesperson for the public body said at the time that further consideration was needed around options to retain the listed building.
U-turn on objection
But HES withdrew their objection and the plans have now been approved.
The listed building was built as a volunteer drill hall around 1870 and was transformed by the Arbroath Cinema Company as The Regal in 1936.
Between the late 1970s and early 1990s the property was used as a bingo hall and was later taken over by the West End Honda Garage as a showroom during the mid 90s.
The plans include the partial demolition of the building while retaining part of the structure’s east elevation, however this will not include its well-known circular window.
A spokesperson for HES said: “We have withdrawn our objection to this application because we consider a more substantive case for some level of demolition has now been made.
“Additional information was submitted by the owner on the economic case for demolition.
“We reviewed this information and, recognising the continuing public safety concerns over the building, we considered that maintaining our objection was not the most appropriate course of action for us to take.
“We are still of the opinion that there are alternatives to the complete demolition of the building and would urge further discussion on these, including discussions with our engineer.”
An exact date for the demolition has not yet been confirmed but garage owner, James Ewart, said he was please with the outcome.
He said: “I am pleased that the relevant authorities have recognised the need for us to make the building and surrounding area safe after the three independent structural engineer reports that all highlighted the significant defects within the old building.”
Conversation