The Shanklin Theatre & Community Trust has now submitted its plans for a new building to provide a Performing Arts Centre, Museum and Heritage Centre at the old Shanklin Library in Victoria Avenue, Shanklin.
The proposed plans will deliver a 106-capacity flexible auditorium
with retractable seating. This is served by a foyer and bar. To the lower ground floor there will be three dance/rehearsal studios. On the first floor will be gallery space for a local museum and heritage centre.
We are, and will be working in conjunction with the Theatres Trust in London all through the planning application process. The Theatres Trust are the national advisory public body for theatres and were established through the Theatres Trust Act 1976 ‘to promote the better protection of theatres’ and provide statutory planning advice on theatre buildings and theatre use in England
through The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure).
This Act requires the Theatres Trust to be consulted by local authorities on planning applications which include ‘development involving any land on which there is a theatre’.
The Theatres Trust in London has been very supportive of our plans and have added these comments below:
‘This represents a significant uplift in provision for Shanklin Theatre. Having discussed this, it appears there is sufficient need and demand for additional space.
‘Whilst a secondary building requires additional operational management and will add complexity, further development of the main theatre building is not possible both due to the constraints of its statutory listing and because there is insufficient space available to develop. The location is just 140m from the existing theatre.
‘This proposal will deliver additional flexibility in programming. It was stated that some of the Shanklin’s performances, particularly those associated with amateur and educational groups, have relatively low rates of audience occupancy.
‘A small performance space would be more conducive to their needs, and be of lower cost to operate. It would also enable additional shows and performances that are not currently viable by small and emerging artists and producers to be accommodated’.
‘This will enhance cultural provision for local people, improving diversity and potentially allowing the theatre to attract new audiences’.
Please view the full planning application here:
https://publicaccess.iow.gov.uk/…/applicationDetails.do…
https://www.shanklintheatreandcommunitytrust.co.uk/
