Inquiry Due To Start Into Ealing's Cinema Site

Planning Inspector to decide on compulsory purchase order

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The latest stage in Ealing's never ending cinema saga will start next week as the inquiry into a proposed Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) of the Empire owned site gets underway.

The former UGC closed to the public in September 2008 and was demolished in February 2009 (apart from the frontage). Empire originally had plans for a 16 screen cinema but building work never started.

Six years on and it's still no more than a facade held up by scaffolding. Despite numerous promises and reassurances Empire has not restarted the development.

Last July, Ealing Council revealed it was applying to the Secretary of State for a Compulsory Purchase Order of the whole site.

They want to press ahead with an ambitious Land Securities project for the area - of which the cinema would be one part.

However Land Securities can't embark on any work until the CPO is approved.

The 5-day hearing will take place at the Town Hall starting at 10am on Tuesday April 14th.

It will be open to the public and if anyone wishes to attend or speak this will be at the Inspector's discretion.

The Inspector will listen to evidence about the site and make a ruling.

If the CPO is approved it should pave the way for work to finally begin.

See the relevant Council documents here

 

7th April 2015