More than 400 local residents attended a public meeting on 29 March 2009 to debate the future of the area’s historic EMD Cinema.
The public meeting was organised in response to a planning application which is expected shortly aimed at converting the film venue for church use.
At the end of the meeting the public was asked to vote on four key issues:
- On the issue of whether the community would prefer a revived EMD or a new multiplex, 100% of those attending voted in favour of the EMD without abstentions.
- When asked if residents supported or opposed the current UCKG plan, 100% of those attending voted against without abstentions.
- When asked if the local council should pursue a Compulsory Purchase Order to take control of the EMD building, 100% of those attending voted in favour without abstentions.
- The final vote concerned an alternative compromise plan whereby UCKG would relinquish control of the EMD in exchange for new conference facilities to be built as part of the Arcade redevelopment. 90% of those attending voted in favour of this solution while 10% voted against.
Links
- Minutes from the meeting can be downloaded as a PDF here.
- A report about the meeting can be found on the Waltham Forest Guardian website.
