PLANS for a major redevelopment of Ealing Town Hall and other council buildings will be further debated tonight (Thursday) by a scrutiny committee.

They were called in by the Conservative opposition, so the committee will decide whether to return them to the borough’s policy-making cabinet for further discussion.

The redevelopment involves part of Ealing Town Hall being used as a hotel, as well as the moving of the library to an undetermined location.

The town hall is used by 45 community groups and the plans could involve them finding alternative locations for meetings, as well as for council staff.

Opposition leader Cllr Gregory Stafford said: “We are not against the idea of redeveloping the town hall. On the outside it looks splendid, but the interior is dated.”

“But we are concerned a hotel could charge commercial rates to groups that use the building, meaning the community would lose out.”

Council leader Julian Bell says the council can no longer afford to maintain the town hall because of a £96m shortfall in central government grants.

He said the plans would preserve the listed façade of the building and protect community space within it.

“These plans will safeguard the future of the town hall,” he said. “They were endorsed by the Conservative opposition just nine months ago. Apparently, they have now done a U-turn.

“It is typical of this opposition to have no plans for the long-term future of the borough and that they are scaremongering.”