Crunch time for cinema site (From South Wales Argus)

Crunch time for cinema site

7:14pm Monday 15th January 2007

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THERE'S a crunch meeting this week between councillors and a developer over the redevelopment of an historic Gwent building.

The Argus reported how plans to redevelop Risca's Grade II listed Palace Cinema had suffered a setback.

A proposal to turn the building into a new library and One Stop Shop was given the green light by Caerphilly council last year but since then it has been dogged by delays.

According to the developer and owner Johnsey Estates, negotiations between itself and the council fell apart last week because of a failure to agree how much rent should be paid by the council.

We reported how a group of key Labour councillors released a joint statement calling for urgent action to make the derelict building safe.

Councillor Keith Griffiths also wrote to the developer outlining the concerns of local people because of the length of time the plan is taking.

He told the Argus there were serious concerns about the safety of the building in the short-term.

But he also revealed the developer has signaled a desire to meet with councillors this week on a day yet to be arranged.

"We may possibly be looking at a breakthrough, but it's too early to say at the moment," said Councillor Griffiths.

"In fairness they responded straight away which is promising."

Councillor Griffiths said he and colleagues were "inundated" with enquiries about the building from the public"day and night".

"It's impacting on our personal lives," he added.

Johnsey maintains new proposals are being looked at to "bring life to this building".

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