Buckley: Decision on Hawkesbury Little Theatre's changing room application

The application for the continued siting of a portable building for use as changing facilities at Hawkesbury Little Theatre, in Buckley, went before Flintshire Council's planning committee on Wednesday (October 26). 

Earlier this week, The Leader reported that the theatre would almost certainly be forced to close if the application was rejected. 

Actors from Buckley Theatre Club have been changing into their costumes in the portable building that joins onto the stage of the theatre, which has been there since 2004.

The portable building used as changing room facilities at Hawkesbury Little Theatre (Image: Flintshire Council)

But with the theatre situated on the grounds of Hawksbury Hall, a listed building next to Elfed High School off Mill Lane, planning officers recommended it for refusal over concerns it is “harmful to the character and appearance of the site". They also raised concerns over the impact of the "eyesore" building on the people now living in Hawkesbury Hall and nearby properties. Hawkesbury Hall was restored from derelictionc a decade ago - long after Hawkesbury Little Theatre had been utilising the portable building.

And after grave concerns were raised by Buckley councillor, Carol Ellis, about the potential loss of a prized community asset, and claims of the Buckley Theatre Club not being properly consulted on the matter, a decision on the application was by unanimous vote deferred until a later date.

This means that the application will reappear before Flintshire Council's planning committee, once a site visit by members has taken place, as well as a consultation with Buckley Theatre Club. 

Hawkesbury Little Theatre (Image: User generated content)

The application for a continued use of the portable building was submitted almost annually from 2004 to 2017. Councillor Chris Bithell said Buckley Theatre Club should come up with plans for a more suitable permanent building keeping in character with the location. 

The meeting was told that Buckley Theatre Club has already sold £2,000 worth of tickets for its upcoming Dick Whittington Christmas panto production.

The portable building is situated next to Hawkesbury Hall, a listed building (Image: Flintshire Council)