Edinburgh planning: Alterations at the under threat Filmhouse on Lothian Road approved by the council

The Filmhouse submitted a planning application for alterations at the Lothian Road cinema in September, which were approved by the council on October 30.

The internal alterations involve changes to the layout including the removal of partitions and seating. Externally, it is proposed to convert a window to a door and block up an existing door on the rear elevation.

It is hoped Edinburgh's Filmhouse cinema will be able to reopen by March next year.

Approving the plans, the council’s chief planning officer David Givan said: “The proposals have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building and its setting and will not adversely impact on its special architectural and historic interest. The proposals will preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area.

“The works to the interior would not impact on any historical architectural features as the building has been altered as part of the conversion to a cinema. The proposals are acceptable in this context.

“The conversion of a window to a door and the blocking up of a door on the rear elevation would not harm the character of the listed building or its setting.

“The proposed changes represent minor alterations to the building. By virtue of their size, location and suitable materials, the works would not have a detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the conservation area.”

Alterations will now be carried out at the Edinburgh city centre cinema.

The future of the three-storey cinema complex in the former church building in Edinburgh city centre has been up in the air for the past couple of years.

The Filmhouse has been boarded up for nearly two years, after a drop in the number of cinema-goers and a “perfect storm” of financial difficulties led to the collapse of previous owners, the Centre for the Moving Image (CMI). Administrators were appointed to assess CMI’s future.

Rod White, a director of Filmhouse Edinburgh Ltd, which has raised over £2 million for the re-opening, said in September that after securing a 25 year lease from new owners Caledonian Heritable that plans were “moving forward”. He said his team was currently aiming to open the doors again in March next year.

The site is located within the West End Conservation Area and on the boundary of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site.

Filmhouse Edinburgh now has three years to carry out the alterations at the Lothian Road premises.