Chiswick Cinema Expected To Get Go-Ahead

The planning application will go before Council this week

The new cinema for Chiswick is expected to be granted planning permission by Hounslow Council this week.

A planning meeting to discuss converting the former Rambert Ballet building to a cinema facility with five screens, a bar and cafe will go before the Planning Committee this week ( January 16).

If approval is granted the company hopes to open in about a year. A spokesperson for Picturehouse said everything was still on schedule and they would attend the planning meeting.

Hounslow planning officials have recommended granting approval; Their report states: "The principle of the development would be acceptable in this location, as it satisfies the planning sequential test. Subject to safeguarding conditions and a Section 106 Deed regarding securing contributions towards consultation on the expansion of neighbouring Controlled Parking Zones and their subsequent possible expansions, the development would not harm neighbour’s living conditions, would preserve the character of the area and would not harm the local road network or traffic safety " Read the full report here

Local residents have expressed concern about parking. As the proposal is a change of use to an existing building rather than a full demolish and re-build, there is no proposal to create on-site parking. The Council believes that as a "car free development" is considered appropriate for the location which is regarded as "highly accessible".

Picturehouse plan to provide cycle parking facilities for 22 bicycles on the Chiswick High Road.

Some local residents have complained about the operating hours proposed for the cinema and particularly the bar. There have also been concerns expressed about pressure on local parking spaces. A survey carried out by the cinema was found to be inaccurate in its prediction of available spaces for customers.

The company had also stated that it was prepared to work with residents on the matter of opening hours, and would ask for Sunday-Thurs closing at 11.30pm and they would ask for 12.30 closure on Fri and Sat to allow for the films which started at 9pm to finish.

However that position appears to have changed and the company now wants compromise hours extended by an extra fifteen minutes as follows:

Cinema screens Sunday to Thursdays 08.00 - 23.45, Friday to Saturday 08.00 - 00.45

Bars and restaurant Sunday to Thursday 08.00 - 23.20, Friday to Saturday 08.00 - 23.50

Terrace All week 08.00 - 22.30

Last week it was announced that Cineworld, which owns 21 Picturehouse outlets and is the UK's largest cinema operator, is buying about 100 multiplexes in eastern Europe and Israel in a deal worth about £500million. It makes Cineworld one of Europe's biggest chains.

Picturehouse say that they plan to provide a cinema which would be tailored to Chiswick’s needs. It would create twenty full-time jobs and fifty part time jobs. It would cost between £3m and £4 million to create the cinema from the shell of the building and would benefit the local economy.

January 11, 2014