PICTUREHOUSE Cinemas will open their largest cinema to date at the new Ealing Filmworks development.

The eight-screen cinema is a central element of the £100m scheme and is expected to open in late 2017, with the remainder of the site completing the following year.

Land Securities is transforming the part-derelict 2.6 acre site into a leisure and cultural destination after Ealing Council granted planning consent in December 2013.

The scheme will include a mix of restaurants, cafes, shops and bars, up to 161 new homes, and will improve pedestrian links between New Broadway, Bond Street and Walpole Park.

The scheme will also feature an outdoor screen and a flexible performance area, with amphitheatre-style seating.

Bringing a long-awaited cinema back to the town centre, Picturehouse have plans to create a striking design within its prominent corner position in the development.

The 1,000-seat cinema, which will incorporate advanced projection and sound systems to ensure the best film experience, a ground floor café-bar and a bar on the first floor.

John Grimes, leasing director at Land Securities, said: “It’s fitting that we are able to bring an arthouse cinema back to Ealing as part of the Filmworks development.

“Restoring the site to its former glory is key to the success of this scheme, and the cultural and leisure hub we are creating will transform the area and reaffirm Ealing’s film heritage.

“Securing a cinema operator is a huge vote of confidence for the scheme.”

Lyn Goleby, managing director at Picturehouse Cinemas, said: “The cinema will be created to capture a unique feel and reference the historical context of Ealing as a home of British film.”

The new development – designed by TP Bennett – will generate around 350 new jobs.

Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council, said: “This announcement is great news for Ealing and brings the building of a new cinema and the creation of a fantastic new £100m leisure quarter even closer.”