Ealing's Cinema Gets Planning Green Light .. Again

So when can we expect to see work start?

Councillors approved a new planning application last night which could clear the way for work to start on Ealing's derelict cinema site.

The former UGC on the Broadway was demolished in February 2009 (apart from the frontage) to make way for a new 16 screen cinema but the remains of the building - opposite the Town Hall - have been left boarded up.

Five months ago Ealing Council began legal action to try and force the owners - Empire- to complete the work within a 'reasonable period'.

Empire appealed against this and submitted a new planning application to increase the non cinema floor space from 10% to 35% - this was approved at committee last night.

It means when the building is eventually completed it will contain more shops and cafes.

Councillors wanted to try and link the planning variation with rules to force the company to get on with the work but were advised this wasn't legal.

Ealing Liberal Democrat Councillor Jon Ball said:

'' I proposed that we change the conditions of today's application to insist that it is begun within 1 year rather than the usual 3 years.  This change was seconded by Cllr Reen but the majority of the committee voted against it.''

Ealing Today has contacted Empire Cinema  to find out when work will start and is awaiting a response.

4 November 2010