CONTROVERSIAL plans to include a seven-screen cinema as part of a town-centre development in North Yorkshire have been approved by councillors.

Richmondshire District Council’s planning committee backed the proposal for the cinema at Catterick Garrison by Lingfield (Catterick) Limited, part of a wider scheme including shops and restaurants which could create 700 jobs.

Proposals for a five-screen cinema were approved last year, but an expanded scheme was subsequently put forward. Lingfield said the cinema was needed to encourage retailers to come to the development.

However, calls have been made for any new scheme not to threaten the future of Richmond’s Station Cinema.