Local councillor Kate Campbell has asked Labour politicians on the planning committee to back her move relating to the former George Cinema.
She has lodged an amendment resisting a recommendation from council officers at Wednesday afternoon’s Planning Committee to take no action.
She has written to the council leader and Labour group leader, Jane Meagher asking for support. The Portobello councillor wants council officers to impose a defective building notice on the former George Cinema on Bath Street. She also wants the council to require the owners to take action to stop water damage. Cllr Campbell has also written to local Labour MP Chris Murray.
Planning officers recommend that the council takes no action in relation to the Art Deco building which has been empty since 2016.
But Cllr Campbell has asked councillors to ignore officer advice and make the owners take positive action to make the building wind and watertight.
She said that the report clearly admits that the owners, Buckley Building Ltd, have not done anything to secure the building against water ingress. She also says that the company will not act as they do not believe the building should be repaired.
The council’s Green group will support the SNP. Now Labour are asked to back the move.
Cllr Campbell told The Edinburgh Reporter: “Both Jane and Chris have always maintained that Labour are on board with saving the George. They have a crystal clear opportunity to show that they mean what they say. I really hope they take it.
“If not, and the building is lost to the community, responsibility will lie with those politicians who have expressed support but failed to intervene at the critical moment.”
Earlier in the week the Friends of the George said the building is being left to decay “in plain sight”. The group wants to acquire the building and restore it as a cinema
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