A brand new arts center is set to open in Brentford, alongside the construction of around 100 new homes, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) can reveal. Hounslow Council is recommended to approve plans to release a further £1.45 million to fund changes to design plans needed to make the building compliant with new fire safety regulations.
This would pave the way for a new theater to open as an anchor for a new arts center as part of downtown regeneration. A report to be discussed by Hounslow Council’s cabinet on Tuesday 12 November says the council is also in advanced talks with a new housing provider needed to continue redevelopment of the police station site which has been derelict for years. LDRS understands there will be “around 100” new homes built alongside the new arts centre.
There is an expectation that a majority of the new homes built under this regeneration plan will be social housing, but at this stage there is no confirmation on the details of the housing plans after Peabody pulled out.
It is understood that initially the focus for the arts center was to build a new cinema. But with the new Everyman cinema opening nearby, a new theater is now the priority – one that can seat hundreds of people, bring in top-notch acts and operate without subsidies.
It is expected that the arts center will have a number of smaller “more niche” spaces, something councilor Salman Shaheen, cabinet member for culture, leisure and public spaces, believes would be made sustainable by having a larger performance space booked.
Cllr Shaheen told the LDRS that he expects the arts center to be a huge success. He said: “We would love to see national class acts come to the new arts centre. We are looking for a supplier to bring that.
“We’re seeing a boom in Brentford at the moment, and we want to shine a spotlight on that area. We hope the theater will host a range of class acts, from comedy… to live music… to fantastic touring theater shows. We hope that this will put Brentford on the map and become a national attraction.
Cllr Tom Bruce, Deputy Leader of Hounslow Council and Cabinet Member for Assets, Regeneration and Development, said: “This is an exciting and pivotal moment in the development of Brentford Police Station and the future of arts and culture in the area. The challenges of redeveloping this site has been significant, especially given the recent economic climate.
“However, we are extremely optimistic that with our emerging partnership, together with investment from the council, we can transform this vacant building into the right mix of housing and living spaces that meet the needs of our community. Taking this forward shows our commitment to Brentford , to the arts and to economic growth in Hounslow.”
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