Around Ealing Winter 2016-17 | Page 15

REGENERATION Ealing Town Hall New cinema Residents’ long wait could be over. A new cultural Ealing Town Hall could quarter, with a cinema be transformed into a site at its heart, should multi-purpose building finally transform the old with a hotel as the cinema in central Ealing, council looks to secure its long term future and give it a new lease of life. Ealing Council would continue to own the freehold of the site and the east wing would be retained for council use – including the historic chamber where councillors debate, the mayor’s parlour and the marriage suite. It is proposed the west wing would become a hotel, featuring a restaurant, fitness centre, and more. Areas across the building, including the Victoria Hall, would still be available and the land behind it. The site had been left derelict by its former owners, following the demolition of the building in 2009, save for its art deco frontage. The council was committed to bringing a cinema back as part of a new ‘cultural quarter’ project and made an order to buy the land in 2015. The developer St George is scheduled to start initial works on the site in December and the cinema could be ready to open in early 2019. Read more at ealingnewsextra.co.uk/ for public hire at community rates. Read more at ealingnewsextra.co.uk/features/ features/regeneration talk-town-hall Greenford Green Southall Waterside New homes are planned for the disused former Leisure opportunities GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and new homes will come site in Greenford, which to Southall when the could be set to become former gasworks site is ‘Greenford Green’. Subject to planning permission, transformed into Southall Waterside. There are plans for 3,750 new homes, shops, parkland and community space; along with better transport connections, walkways and cycle paths. There would also be a sports pavilion and the old office and industrial complex would be flattened and redeveloped as almost 2,000 homes, shops, restaurants and open space along the canal – as well as proposals for leisure, and a primary school. health care centre. This will add to the benefits The adjoining sports pitches belonging to GSK for local people provided by the council’s ongoing were used by the council for a new school, Southall Big Plan projects that have been taking William Perkin High, which opened in 2013; and place in the town (visit www.southallbigplan.com new community sports facilities are soon to be for more information). built alongside it. Read more at ealingnewsextra.co.uk/ Read more at ealingnewsextra.co.uk/features/ features/regeneration regeneration Turn page for more  around ealing Winter 2016/17 15