Council agrees to transfer of Ballymote cinema building
Sligo County Council has approved in principle the transfer/disposal of the old Cinema Building at Teeling Street in Ballymote by way of a 25-year lease to Ballymote Community Enterprises Ltd.
The proposal was made by Clr. Pat McGrath at the March monthly meeting of the council.
Clr. Gerard Mullaney seconded, and the proposal was agreed.
In a report to councillors, Director of Services Dorothy Clarke stated that Ballymote Community Enterprises Ltd had requested the transfer of the building that was currently in the ownership of the council for the purpose of redeveloping it for use as a 230-seat theatre for live performance shows, parttime cinema and centre for music.
The building sits on 6,060 square feet with a building floor area of 5,855 square feet, with a site plot area or about 0.173 acres. It was generally rectangular in shape and comprised a large auditoria area and ancillary accommodation.
The site was identified in the Ballymote Local Area Plan 20052011 under existing building uses as derelict/vacant and zoned as mixed use.
The building was originally designed reflecting Art Deco with a plain interior art deco style.
The site is fully serviced with all utilities in place.
Ballymote Community Enterprises Ltd propose to redevelop the property for use as a 230-seat theatre for live performing shows, part-time cinema and a music centre for contemporary and traditional music.
It is also envisaged that the property will provide an artistic "home" for local and regional performing arts organizations.
The report from Ms. Clarke stated that the proposed use would be considered representative of the type of use it was originally planned for, which should add quality to the local built environment and encourage human activity on the site, while reinforcing the local townscape area.
The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage has given the façade of the old cinema a regional rating. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has recommended that all structures given a regional rating be included in the Record of Protected Structures.
The disposal of the site for social, cultural and economic purpose would make it "a culturally significant asset" for the local community and County Sligo, the report stated.
It added that Ballymote Community enterprises Ltd had indicated its commitment to opening its doors to local schools and local artists and musicians.
Councillors were informed that the approval in principle for the transfer of the site was subject to planning permission being obtained for the development, adequate funding being secured by Ballymote Community Enterprises Ltd for the development of the project, and confirmation that Sligo County Council would not be required or requested to contribute any further funding toward the development and operation of the project.
Once these conditions are complied with, a formal request by way of a Section 183 Notice in relation to the disposal of land will be brought before the members of the council for approval.
