FULL details of the resubmitted application by JD Wetherspoon to bring the State cinema in Grays back to life as a super pub have now been published on Thurrock Council's planning portal.

They do not appear to show many changes from the original application which was granted planning permission, but was not implemented by the giant pub chain.

Earlier this week the council confirmed receipt of the new application and said it 'welcomed this progress towards the development of a bar in the heart of Grays which will create new jobs and help support Thurrock's economic recovery'.

The planning statement with the application says: "With the exception of the original separate shop areas, there are no proposals to demolish any of the original structural elements or original fabric of the main building.

"New vertical windows are to be cut into the West elevation wall located behind the stage and additional smaller windows to the North elevation under the circle seating.

"Original and existing internal and external features would be retained repaired and restored. The advice of Historic England will be followed in this regard, together with advice from the Cinema and Theatre Association, the heritage assessment and the onsite tests that have been carried out relating to surface materials and asbestos.

"Some of the original existing cinema seats will be fully restored and utilised in the new public house layout.

"Due to the number of seats in the auditorium, it would not be possible to re-use all of them. As such we are looking to relocate a number of the seats to another historic cinema where a refurbishment is being proposed."

The report adds the 'structure and envelope of the building is in generally fair condition with the exception of the roof weathering surface, which needs to be totally replaced'.

And there is good news for cinema organ fans. Wetherspoon say the original Compton cinema organ in the State will be restored and brought back into use. The report adds: "A full and extensive survey has been carried out by Taylor Hammond with a view to repair the organ and bring it back to being the centrepiece of the State cinema."

Plans include a new courtyard beer garden with new hard and soft landscaping is to be created behind the main elevation. This will incorporate the reformed original ticket booth as part of the design.

In addition to this, a pavement café style seating area will occupy the area directly in front of the building on George Street.

The report adds: "All the external seating areas would be under the control of the public house management and be monitored by a new and highly sophisticated CCTV system.

"Regulations requiring the provision of an external area for smoking mean that a delineated area will be set aside for smokers up to pub closing time. The area designated would be shown on floor plans and delineated by screens or barriers."

The full design statement with many pictures and plans can be found via this link.

The full application and opportunity to comment is here.