Tesco’s have submitted a new planning application for the former Essex Arms Pub using the following description:

‘A mixed use re-development. Construction of four storey building to provide a retail store (approx 436sqm) use class A1 at ground floor and 17 residential units on upper floors. Provision of cycle and car parking.’

The application will be heard by the Planning Committee starting at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 2nd February. Full details of the application can be found by clicking here.

If residents wish to speak either for or against this application at the Planning Committee they need to register their interest by calling 020 8496 6726. Speakers are limited to three people per application and each will have three minutes to get their point across to the committee.

A former bingo hall in Walthamstow High Street has been thrown into the spotlight in a recent Waltham Forest Guardian article.

Whilst the EMD has been the centre of attention for the last few years the 80 year old former Dominion cinema has sadly fallen into disrepair since its closure in the mid 90’s.

Residents have been leaving comments on the Guardians website suggesting the Council considers brokering a deal with the owners of the EMD to swap buildings.

Responding to residents comments, Lib Dem Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr John Macklin, said:

“I have read with interest residents comments regarding the Buxton Hall site and possible links with the EMD. It is something I have discussed with the Chief Executive of the Council as an idea.”

“At present we are not dealing with a certain solution but one which relies on many complex stages. We need to consider IF the council can obtain Buxton Hall, then IF the church wants to do a deal. We then have to determine whether a cinema operator will help us return the EMD to a cinema. Finally, we have the additional problems of Labours plans for the Arcade site and UCKG’s planning application.”

“I can state again that the preferred option for Lib Dems, with regard to the EMD, is a cinema but we are also aware that the UCKG has the need to provide a good quality venue for its congregation.”

In 2007 Lib Dem High Street Councillor, James O’Rourke, participated in the Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment public enquiry on the future of the Walthamstow Town Centre where he suggested Buxton Hall is considered as a possible Community theatre and multi-use space.

Cllr O’Rourke said: “Working with the Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment not long after my election was exciting. As a new councillor I was stirred up by the prospects for the area I grew up in and now represent. Sadly. three years on the Prince’s Foundation Masterplan has become yet another mantlepiece exhibit for Labour’s Regeneration Cabinet member.”

“We need action, as demonstrated by neighbouring boroughs, not just masterplans”

High Street Focus Team have received a number of inquiries from concerned residents following the delivery of a Labour leaflet in High Street ward.

Under the banner ‘Fighting to save Walthamstow’s EMD cinema’ Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for Walthamstow asks residents to “join [her] and McGuffins at the council planning hearing in January as we demonstrate against plans to close our cinema.”

In response to an inquiry from Cllr O’Rourke the Councils planning department confirmed that there is no planning committee in January and stated “There are still a number of issues for discussion with the applicants and their agents and we are still reviewing all the responses from statutory, non statutory groups and residents. Once matters progress further we will be in a better position to consider a Committee date.”

In a joint statement Cllr O’Rourke and Council Deputy Leader, Cllr John Macklin, said:

“This is yet more Labour misinformation and maneuvering to add to that which has taken place over a number of years and has fed such confusion and dismay amongst residents.”

“We have had a number of meetings with the UCKG and independent cinema operators and a cinema at the EMD is our preferred option.”

Following pressure, initially from High Street Lib Dem Councillors, the owners of the former EMD cinema have finally announced two dates when they will present their proposals for the former cinema to the public.

In a letter (see below) the UCKG say they will share their provisional plans with local residents, elected representatives and other interested parties on Thursday 16th April between 5.30 and 8.00 pm and Friday 17th April between 4.00 and 8.00 pm at St Gabriel’s Church & Family Centre, Havant Road, E17 3JF. Click here to see location on multimap.com.

Cllrs James O’Rourke and Johar Khan said:

“We have heard and noted the views of residents at the recent McGuffins public meeting. Now let’s see what the UCKG have to say for themselves.”

UCKG Invitation

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Presentations & Spre How-to-Guides & Manu planning wedding

Following recent reports of squatters High Street ward Councillor, James O’Rourke, was given access to the former EMD cinema. He was joined by an English Heritage representative and the Council’s Conservation Officer.

Although no evidence of squatters was found, Cllr O’Rourke was saddened to see the building in such a sorry state with clear evidence of the rave event that took place not long after the owners, UK Church of God (UKCG), bought the former cinema in 2003.

However, Cllr O’Rourke has learned that the UKCG have been in talks with relevant Cabinet members to proceed with new plans for usage of the EMD, with a planning application possibly expected as early as late January or February.

Cllr O’Rourke commented:

“It is very encouraging to discover that plans are now being made to use the EMD and end its sad tenure as another disused site in our ward.

However, it is obviously a concern that these plans have not yet been shared with local ward councillors or residents. Residents and I were recently promised transparency in relation to plans for the Arcade site and I hope the same guarantee will apply to their talks with UKCG.”

Cllr O’Rourke concluded:

“Local people have consistently voiced their desire to be kept informed and involved and I will be contacting the relevant Cabinet members to ask urgently for details about these discussions and plans on behalf of High Street residents.”

PROMISES 

2004 - State of the art Library

2006 - Cinema, Retail & residential

2008 - Cinema, Hotel, Swimming Pool & residential?

After six years of inactivity and missing the property boom, it looks like residents and ward councillors will still be unclear as to what will happen with this key site and any development will not be completed before 2012.

In a recent council meeting it was announced that discussions with the Arcade developer would begin to ‘explore’ providing leisure facilities, including a swimming pool, on the derelict site.

High Street ward councillor Johar Khan said: “What does this say about the political management of this landmark at the heart of our borough? A landmark site, which has lain empty for the last six years following empty promises.” 

Ward colleague, Cllr James O’Rourke continued:

“Opportunities have been missed long before the recession came along.

Every time a resident or a visitor gets off a bus or train at Walthamstow Central, one of the first things they see is an enormous patch of empty land at the heart of our borough. This simply isn’t good enough.

The vacant Arcade site is a reminder of the ongoing failure to deliver these promises.

The message from residents – quite rightly – is that enough is enough.”