Campaigners win battle to save cinema from caf development.

A FORMER cinema building has been saved after a council u-turn.

Supporters of the Globe Theatre in Roath, Cardiff, are today celebrating the unexpected reprieve.

Plans to convert the ex-movie theatre into a caf-bar were rejected at a meeting held yesterday.

Councillors accepted the view put forward by local residents and ward councillors that the area already has too many outlets selling food.

Ashley Bell, a member of the Globe Cinema Action Group, said: ``I am absolutely delighted with the outcome. ``I have to say we were not feeling particularly optimistic beforehand because the recommendation for this application was that it be approved.

``Luckily that was not what happened. ``This is a victory for the whole community.''

Plasnewydd councillor Sue Lent said: ``It shows the planning committee is able to consider the effect that proposals such as this will really have on people who live in the locality.''

Prior to the meeting at Cardiff City Hall, members of the Save the Globe group, which had collected a petition of 2,000 signatures, held a protest.