Construction of Ealing cinema can now start says council leader

Construction on the site, in Uxbridge Road, stalled more than three years ago after Empire and the town hall locked horns over plans to increase the number of screens from 16 to 20, including a large IMAX screen.

Empire chief executive Justin Ribbons, said the changes were needed to compete with Westfield and would only mean increasing the height of the development by 62 centimetres.

The council argued it would be more like four metres, requiring another planning application.

Both sides blamed each other for refusing to talk to each other after relations soured.
But In July, a threat by the town hall to force Empire to sell it the site got both sides talking again and in September they agreed on changes which did not need a new planning application.

Because the site is in a conservation area, the changes had to be consulted upon, with the views of residents' associations, Ealing Civic Society and other community groups taken into account.

Last week the results came back approving of the changes, removing the final barrier to the work continuing.

Council leader Julian Bell, said: "The ball is now in Empire's court, we've now done everything required to make it possible for work to begin.

"When Justin Ribbons comes to see me I'm going to hand him a shovel and say you can start building the cinema now."

He said the council were hoping to meet with Empire soon.

Empire could not be contacted but Mr Ribbons has previously said that construction could restart before the end of the year.