PERMISSION is being asked for renovations and changes to Bridport’s Electric Palace building although the work is already underway.

A consent for the alterations and repairs has now been made after discussions with Dorset Council’s listed buildings officer.

An application to the council is now asking for permission to internal and external alterations and repairs to the first floor accommodation and the roof of the building which fronts onto South Street. The work includes the restoration of the large roof lights, which have been reduced in size over the years.

Said an agent’s letter to the council: “The first floor above the cinema entrance was originally used as a public meeting space and even a doctors surgery but for the last fifty years it has been used as two residential flats accessed by two staircases and entrances onto the street frontage. The plan form of the flats has frequently changed over the years and it is now proposed to make some additional changes to create bathrooms and different bedroom subdivisions and living area arrangements.”

Also planned is a new roof covering on the, leaking, flat roof: “The roof lights, which were once 2m x 3m have been reduced in recent years to two small openings. The framework of the original openings still exists and it is proposed to reinstate these dimensions and construct metal framed lantern lights above the openings.”

Also planned is re-building parts of the parapet wall on the roof which has become unstable in places and taking the fibreglass-reinforced roof material up the inside of the wall to create a good seal.

Bridport Town Council will consider the applications at its planning meeting on April 27th. Public comments on the proposals remain open until May 5th with a final decision expected to be made by a Dorset Council planning officer under delegated powers.