A “dated” and “awkward” South London cinema could be replaced by a block of flats.

Bexley Council has unveiled plans to potentially build 130 homes on the Cineworld site in Bexleyheath.

The plans were included in the council’s local plan, which was approved at a full council meeting on April 26.

As well as the new homes, the plan said a variety of “main town centre uses” could also be included on the ground and first floor of the site in Broadway, such as a leisure centre or shops.

The local plan said: “[The site] is occupied by a large ‘big box’ cinema development as well as other leisure uses, and a car park sits at the eastern end of the site.

"Whilst these uses make a significant contribution to the town centre’s leisure offer, the building itself is dated and relates awkwardly to the street with blank façades.”

It added that the Metropolitan Police Service would be consulted on any proposals at the cinema site, given its close proximity to a police station.

Cineworld were approached by the LDRS, but declined to comment on the plans.

However, it is understood that while the chain filed a ‘plan of reorganisation’ in the US Bankruptcy Court last month, it will continue to operate as normal from the Bexleyheath site for the time being.

The council’s local plan also noted that the new Eastside Quarter development facing the site will include over 500 new flats.

It also said that if the cinema were to be converted, the building heights would be lower than that of the Eastside Quarter development, which is planned to be eight storeys tall.

Bexley Council officers said in the local plan that the architecture of the Bexleyheath building could be used to create a “visual emphasis” and guide residents to the town centre.

They said: “Redevelopment of this site creates the opportunity for a residential-led mixed-use development in Bexleyheath Town Centre that is within walking distance to Bexleyheath bus hub and in one of the best-connected areas of the borough, helping to draw the town centre eastwards along Broadway towards the Civic Offices, creating a more positive east-west connection and furthering the improvements made by the neighbouring Eastside Quarter development.”