Campaigners are appealing for help in the latest battle against a religious group which wants to turn an old cinema into a church.

Members of the Picture Palace Campaign took on Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) five years ago when the building’s owner applied to turn 25 Church Road, Crystal Palace, into a place of worship.

This application was refused and the PPC hopes the community will get behind the campaign again by signing its petition and writing to Bromley Council before the public consultation closes tomorrow (January 15).

KICC has applied to change the building’s premises use classification from D2, which only permits community use, to D1 and D2.

If the change is approved by Bromley Council then KICC could use the property as a church.

In the planning documents submitted by KICC, the group said "70 per cent of The Open Door’s timetable would be available for public use, meaning that social and cultural facilities for all are included".

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PPC chairwoman Annabel Sidney said: "Regardless of what KICC says in its supporting planning statement, there is no obligation for KICC to deliver or invite any D2 public entertainment activities should they obtain change of use and none that could be successfully enforced.

"This is a source of great concern amongst many other serious planning issues such as traffic and parking, the impact on local trade and loss of opportunity to regenerate Church Road and boost local trade in the Crystal Palace Triangle."

KICC spokesman Dipo Oluyomi said the building is already used by non church members, including for a wedding reception, and that a community group will be taking over the foyer cafe soon.

He added: "The concerts, business conventions and educational conventions we have undertaken in the place were advertised to the public and they were all well attended.

"There have been other interests expressed from individuals within the community to use the venue for various functions such as fashion shows, orchestra nights, health awareness programmes.

"We are also in the process of putting in our application for entertainment license for the venue in pursuant of our commitment to retain the D2 use of the building.

"A sustainable travel plan has been developed and a full transport assessment has been undertaken as part of the application."

Email planning@bromley.gov.uk to have your say on the application, which can be found at tinyurl.com/crystalpalaceapplication Or go to tinyurl.com/crystalpalacepetition