Planning application rejected for Theatre at Risk Walsall Imperial

Theatres Trust welcomes Walsall Council’s decision to refuse the application to convert Grade II listed former theatre into residential apartments.

Walsall Council has refused planning permission for the scheme to convert the Walsall Imperial into residential apartments, which would have resulted in the complete loss of its 1914 interiors and permanently removed any possibility of its return to performance or other compatible use.

Theatres Trust strongly objected to the application in May 2021. Since that response, we have been successful in our application to have the building listed at Grade II and have added the Imperial to our Theatres at Risk List, recognising its significance as an early cine-variety theatre.

Theatres Trust welcomes this news and fully supports Walsall Council’s decision.

Theatres Trust National Planning Adviser Tom Clarke says “We considered this to be a poor scheme which would have resulted in significant harm to the Imperial and loss of important internal features. We are keen to work with the owner to see the Imperial brought back to a viable compatible use in keeping with its Grade II listed status.”