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Press Release

13 August 2024

Planning Inspectorate dismisses Titchfield Festival Theatre Appeal

A Planning Enforcement Notice (PEN) issued against Titchfield Festival Theatre for creating a 450-seat theatre without planning permission has been upheld by the Planning Inspectorate. The unauthorised use must cease by 12 October 2024.

In May 2023, the construction of what would later be known as the Arden was brought to the Council’s attention. It had been created to the rear of the of the Oak Theatre and Acorn Studio which are both authorised. Titchfield Festival Theatre were advised that without appropriate planning permission being obtained, the new theatre was at risk of enforcement action being taken. Despite this warning, no planning application was forthcoming, and work continued on the theatre. The Council issued the PEN in November 2023 and the theatre company subsequently appealed. The appeal has today been dismissed following a Public Inquiry held by an independent Planning Inspector. As a result, the unauthorised theatre use of the Arden Theatre is required to cease within two months. Areas excavated for use as an underground orchestra pit must also be filled in and the stage, seating, lighting rig and any sound equipment dismantled within seven months.

Vice Chairman of the Planning Committee, Cllr Ian Bastable, said: ‘I am pleased to see the Planning Enforcement Notice has been upheld and the appeal dismissed. The scale of the theatre was simply too big in this countryside location with very limited on-site car parking which also serves the existing Oak Theatre and Acorn Studio. It seems extraordinary that, despite concerns raised by the Council in connection with creating a large theatre here, the works still went ahead. I would like to reassure all of our residents that where development is carried out without planning permission, and is unacceptable in planning terms, this Council will take action against it.’

This decision does not affect the two authorised theatres that have been operating from the site since 2012.

The Inspector’s Appeal Decision may be read in full on the Council’s website.

ENDS