Historic England (HE) has said it will not revisit the Kensington Odeon to consider its listing despite the discovery of original interior which was thought to be lost .

It has written to Friends of the Kensington Odeon to say it cannot reassess the building while a Certificate of Immunity (COI) from listing is in force.

Guy Oliver from the Friends said it was farcical as the COI was issued on the understanding that the recently discovered architecture had been lost.

He said: “To be told they can’t investigate new evidence is a complete cuckoo, insane, bureaucratic answer.”

The main auditorium showing a previously hidden view to the stage and proscenium arch, previously thought to be lost

The developers say they have been by told by experts that nearly all original features discovered have been damaged during renovation of the site in the 1970s and 1990s.

The discovery of original plaster details of the 1926 Art Deco building was made during the demolition of the building .

Also found was the vaulted ceiling, dress circle, Proscenium arch with its masks and details, tea rooms and reception area.

The COI issued by the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, stated these original details did not exist.

Mr Oliver wrote to HE requesting the site be reexamined, claiming the development to be “a game-changer”, but in response was told by listing co-ordinator Philip Seeley "I regret to inform you that there is no right of appeal against a Certificate of Immunity from Listing once it has been imposed".

Mr Seeley added: "The certificate is a legal guarantee that the building concerned will not be listed during the five years starting with the date on which the certificate is signed.”

The COI is valid until March 2018, and Mr Seeley reiterates: “This means it is not possible to consider it for listing.”

Friends founder, Mr Oliver, said: “It makes no sense to be told they can’t investigate the new evidence because of the COI.

"It’s completely bonkers.”

More than 25,000 people signed a petition handed in to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport calling for the High Street cinema to avoid the wrecking ball, including celebrities such as Benedict Cumberbatch, who was a regular customer when growing up, local residents and guitar legends Brian May and Jimmy Page, and other esteemed stars of stage and the silver screen , such as Kristin Scott-Thomas and Sir Ian McKellen.

The real estate investment and advisory company Delancey is developing the cinema site.

Under plans for the building which have been given approval, a new seven-screen cinema will be built.

An artist's impression of the proposed Picturehouse Cinema

The development, which would see the parts of the Odeon’s facade retained, would include luxury homes, a cafe, bar and restaurant.

A spokesman for Minerva, which is owned by Delancey, said: “Extensive measures have been taken to comply with planning and other legal requirements at all stages of development and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has repeatedly rejected listing applications on Historic England’s advice on the basis that the building is not of special historic or architectural interest.

“We are working with Museum of London Archaeology to record and analyse any additional original features uncovered during the works.

"Unfortunately, MOLA have advised us that nearly every original feature uncovered has been damaged during renovations in the 1970s and 1990s.

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“We are however already committed to restoring and retaining a number of original internal and external features.

“The design of the new cinema draws on the heritage of the building and creates a far superior experience than previously existed while the overall development will provide much needed housing, including affordable housing to the borough.”

The Friends want to buy the property and build an arts centre called The Hitchcock, Kensington, after the legendary film director.

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