MULTI-MILLION pound plans to convert an historic cinema into apartments have been tipped for approval by council officers.

The scheme for the old Odeon cinema on Crouch Street, Colchester, will be discussed by Colchester Council’s planning committee next week - more than two years after the initial scheme was submitted.

Applicant Blumarble Property wants to convert the front of the building, including the street-facing facade, into 11 apartments and demolish the auditorium to make space for a new building which will house 35 more flats.

As part of the project, which is likely to cost more than £10milllion, two existing shops nearby will be renovated.

Officers have recommended the scheme is given the go-ahead but have warned the developers do not want to pay Section 106 obligations - payments to the community - usually attached to similar developments.

Planning committee members will be asked to consider the issue before they make their decision, as well as the impact the development would have on the surrounding conservation area, the impact apartments would have on nearby residents and businesses,and the potential increase on traffic.

The report said: “The proposal will enable the re-use of the former cinema, a locally listed building, which contributes to the designated heritage asset of the conservation area.

“It is considered the scheme would acceptably fulfil the environmental dimension of sustainable development by preserving the identified heritage assets.

“The development will also have economic and social benefits by creating construction activity, promoting the vitality of the town centre and by possible creation of jobs.”

The cinema was first built in 1931 and was used until 2002 when Odeon decided to move their base to Head Street. It has been vacant ever since with neighbours complaining about vandalism and people breaking into derelict auditorium which is in a state of disrepair.

Bosses at Blumarble Properties had started working on plans with former owner, Ross Carroll, before buying the site for themselves in 2015.

Mr Carroll owned the building since 2012 and, at first, planned to transform it into a 96-bed hotel and 40 homes.

In 2014, he submitted plans for three shops and seven apartments, along with a four-storey block of 36 apartments on land behind the cinema.

Steve Peri, who owned the building for eight years previous to Mr Carroll, intended to turn it into a nightclub.

But all previous plans for the former cinema have fallen flat with Colchester Council.

A total of five objections have been lodged on the new plans which will feature a mix of one and two bedroom apartments.

The planning committee is set to discuss the scheme at a meeting next Thursday.