DEVELOPERS behind ambitious plans for a £20million cinema in Basildon town centre have been told to go back to the drawing board because of concerns over its design.

A cross-party group of councillors deferred their decision on the application for a major revamp of the Eastgate Centre, which was set to kick-start an evening economy in the town.

The cinema scheme, which also includes the creation of four new restaurants, was recommended for approval by council planning officers and had the backing of 90 per cent of residents who attended a public exhibition.

Infrared, which bought the shopping centre in February 2014, is now “deciding how to proceed” – prompting fears the development might not go ahead.

Planning committee member, Aidan McGurran, Labour councillor for Pitsea South East, said: “I’m struggling to see what the problem is.

“I am very concerned we’ve got £20million of investment for the town centre, and by deferring the decision we’re at risk of the developers backing out altogether.

“I don’t want to have to explain to my constituents that we’re to blame.”

The main concerns raised by the committee were in relation to an archway outside the main entrance of the shopping centre, in East Square.

Metro Bank has already lodged an objection against the freestanding, tilted “goalposts”, which would be lit up after dark, because of concerns it would distract from its own appearance.

David Harrison, Ukip councillor for Wickford Park, said: “The goalposts do nothing for me.

“They are standing in isolation ataweird angle, why don’t we attach them to the existing buildings as more of an archway?”

Basildon Council was forced to put its own plans to transformEast Square into a leisure quarter on hold because they also included a cinema.

While the planning committee agreed the Eastgate scheme could launch the regeneration of the town centre, they gave Infrared four weeks to come back with a revised design.

Stephen Hillier, Tory councillor for Langdon Hills, said: “It’s right we recognise retail is changing.

“We used to have Robins cinema and it’s good we are trying to get some sort of night time activity back in the town centre, but I have a problem with the details of the plans.

“I like the idea, but there are aspects which I’m cautious about.”

Andrew Schrader, Tory councillor for Billericay East, added: “When I lived in the town centre, I remember saying there was nowhere to take a girl on a date, it definitely needs a boost.

“We all know this isn’t the ideal site for a cinema, but we’ve got a chance to deliver something really good here.

“I just think we need to make sure we get it right.”

SURPRISE AT DEFERRAL

THE owners of the Eastgate Centre have admitted the “surprising” decision to defer the cinema application could result in long delays with future construction work.

Infrared is now “consulting” on the impact of the deferral.

Building was scheduled to begin in September, with the ten-screen cinema expected to open in 2017.

A spokesman for Infrared said: “We are disappointed the planning committee chose to defer their decision on our proposed £20million investment in Basildon town centre.

“This is a frustrating and surprising decision, particularly because planning officers, Basildon businesses and the wider public had voiced strong support for our plans – as did several committee members when discussing the development.

“We will consult about the implications of the decision and the delay this causes with our professional team and prospective operators before deciding how to proceed."

Ian Clarke, manager of the Eastgate Centre, added: “As someone who has worked in Basildon for 17 years, I know this is something that will make a real difference in the town.”