An enforcement notice has been issued against a Hampshire theatre company over the building of a 450-seat theatre without planning permission.
The development was discovered when officers visited the site, after concerns had been put to the council about a lack of parking provision at a new theatre under construction at the rear of the existing Titchfield Festival Theatre venue on St Margaret's Lane. Car parking is limited at the site with only 35 on-site parking spaces.
The officers discovered during meetings with representatives of the theatre company that development was ongoing to build a new 450-seat theatre.
The new theatre development is being built behind the current theatre, with development underway for a newly excavated underground orchestra pit beneath the stage, backstage changing rooms and rehearsal areas.
Behind the theatre had previously been granted planning permission for use as storage.
Previous attempts at planning permission for a new theatre had been refused in 2019. The first, for a 567-seat theatre at this location that is behind their existing smaller theatre premises. This was refused on the grounds that the location was unsustainable and poorly accessible outside the urban area. The council also argued that there was not enough parking on-site, and that the development would lead to a significant increase in noise affecting neighbours. A later 2019 application was also refused.
The theatre company's website shows performances taking place throughout December and into 2024.
Nick Walker, chairman of the planning committee, commented: "Titchfield Festival Theatre has left the council with no option but to pursue this formal planning enforcement action. It beggars belief that anyone would build a new 450-seat theatre without first securing planning permission."
The site won't be able to operate as a theatre after 29 February unless an appeal is lodged.
