By Hayley Robinson

Plans to transform the town's old cinema into a nightclub have been shelved.

Businessman Stephen Cross (pictured) announced on Monday via Facebook that he won't be pursuing his dream as it would be too costly to go through with a public inquiry as suggested by a government planning inspectorate following a hearing held at the end of April.

The appeal was launched after Swale council refused planning permission but the sub-licensing committee granted a new premises licence for the former Reeltime Cinema in Sittingbourne High Street provided the establishment closes at 5am Thursday to Saturday and 3am Sunday to Wednesday.

Mr Cross said: "I am hugely disappointed about the outcome. The development would have created jobs, stimulated the night-time economy and provided significant investment in Sittingbourne which would have helped kick-start the regeneration of the town centre.

"Our supporters came along to the hearing to express their views. Also at the hearing were council officers, representatives from Mecca bingo and LIFE, both of whom were objecting, and residents at Riverbourne Court who also had concerns and had objected to the change of use.

"The Inspector was aware of all the representations which had been received. However, about 90 minutes into the hearing, he decided that there were too many interested parties and that the appeal had to be heard through a public inquiry. The first dates available for this were in September and we would not have had a decision until the end of the year.

"The costs of mounting a Public Inquiry run to tens of thousands of pounds and that, taken with the timescale for the Inquiry and the decision, make this a prohibitive route. It appears that we have been denied a hearing because of the amount of support we received and we have made a formal complaint to the Planning Inspectorate.

Mr Cross is now exploring the option of acquiring premises in Medway.

"I would like to thank the thousands of people who supported our plans. I am only sorry that we could not deliver what would have been a fantastic business for the town."