Detailed plans have been revealed for transforming Cheltenham's historic former cinema and restaurant The Daffodil into a home.

They show a lavish five-bedroom property with accommodation for guests and staff, numerous en suits and terraces, a gym, cinema, sauna, games room and meditation room.

The changes will mark the end of an era for the landmark Art Deco venue which attracted visitors from near and far for more than 100 years.

It first opened as a 750-seat cinema in 1922, designed by prolific Cheltenham architect Leonard William Barnard. It was used as a bingo hall and furniture showroom before opening as a restaurant in 1998.

Beloved by locals, it was made famous by a vist from Prince William and an appearance in BBC drama Sherlock. 

Locals were shocked when the beautiful venue was suddenly closed off to the public in 2023. Owner Stewart Braddock shut the 100-seater restaurant amid financial difficulties, after almost 30 years of service.

He put the 6,135 sqft property at 18-20 Suffolk Parade on the market but it received no interest. He then applied to Cheltenham Borough Council to change the use from business to residential and was given the nod in January.

Objectors were horrified that the historic beauty of the building could be destroyed or hidden away as the home of "one rich person".

A heritage statement submitted as part of the application said the proposed changes to the building would "secure its future use and limit the risk of neglect" and "would not result in the loss of any historically significant or distinctive features."

Croft Capital UK Asset Management Ltd has now submitted a full application to Cheltenham Borough Council for transforming the site into a five-bedroom home with a parking entrance off Montpellier Retreat.

The stunning auditorium, where cinema-goers once watched stars on the silver screen, will become an open space kitchen, dining room and living room with an attached atrium open to the roof of the building.

The first floor will house a master bedroom and gallery, with two further bedrooms with en suites and terraces. The second floor office will be converted into guest and staff bedrooms.

The neighbouring 1,042 sqft property at 21 Suffolk Parade already has planning permission for conversion to a single residential dwelling, granted in October 2023. It will be turned into a one-bedroom annexe.

A heritage assessment submitted as part of the application said: "The proposals are to convert the building into a single dwelling. This will involve alterations to the interior including removal of some walls and building of partitions.

"However, the aim is to retain surviving historic features whilst allowing the building to be brought back into use.

"The exterior appearance of the building will not be altered beyond restoration and repair.

"Given that the longer a building remains vacant and unused, the more its condition deteriorates, then the proposals to convert the building could be seen as a positive occurrence."

It concluded that the changes would have "minor" but "less than substantial harm" to the property, which is not a listed building but is recognised as a locally important building in Cheltenham.

A statement by SF Planning Limited on behalf of the applicant said: "The proposed development provides an opportunity to improve the visual aesthetics of the building whilst at the same time improving the living standards for future occupiers."