THE Universal Church of the Kingdom of God’s (UCKG) statement (Guardian, July 30) about its keeness to maintain the former EMD cinema is almost comical, now the Health and Safety Executive has stepped in.
The HSE intervened because of untreated asbestos inside the building and Waltham Forest Council has now issued a legal notice forbidding entrance to the EMD.
This clearly shows that the UCKG is not a suitable steward for a building which is an essential part of Waltham Forest’s heritage.
UCKG appears to believe that by leaving it to rot, the council will eventually have to give in and let them use it as a church.
What the council should do is use the powers it has to save the EMD. It can issue an urgent repairs notice, which English Heritage will support, requiring the UCKG to carry out full repairs. If they are not done, the council has the right to take ownership of it.
The UCKG have owned this historic building for nearly seven years. Now it is a danger to the health of anyone who enters it.
This is the time for positive action. Councillors we are waiting.
Iain Caldow,
Greenleaf Road, Walthamstow.
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