Cinema 'fiasco' as new plans collapse (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Cinema 'fiasco' as new plans collapse

9:46am Monday 19th March 2007 in News By Alex Lewis

THE latest city centre cinema plans have collapsed, with opponents welcoming developer Henry Davidson's promise of a "radical new approach".

The firm, faced with a damning report by St Albans District Council officers, has withdrawn its second planning application for a large, mainly residential, complex in Bricket Road.

Managing director Scott Davidson said: "We and the council have been working very closely to develop the current scheme.

"However, it's apparent that these changes do not yet go far enough in addressing the needs of the local community.

"Having read the planning officer's report and seen comments from various local and heritage groups we feel it's only right to withdraw the application.

"We and the council have, since the publication of the report, been discussing an absolutely new way of delivering the scheme.

"We will adopt an open and consultative approach embracing all these local and heritage groups as well as council officers and members. The exact details of the way forward have yet to be finalised but immediate discussions are taking place to try to set the project back on course.

"One thing that is absolutely clear though is that there is a need for a cinema to serve the community of St Albans and the surrounding district."

Eric Roberts of St Albans Civic Society, which has led opposition to the plans and drawn up a proposal for a more modest cinema development, said: "This is potentially exciting.

"I hope that somehow our plans can be incorporated or even taken over."

The Civic Society hopes to involve James Hannaway, who runs a restored cinema in Berkhamsted, although it is unclear whether this would be compatible with the contract between Henry Davidson and the council.

Council leader Robert Donald said: "We welcome this as the right way forward and anticipate new engagement with community groups, English Heritage, CABE the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, Hertfordshire Architects and the Youth Council.

"We plan to invite them to become a reference group for any future development and will ask the Civic Society to share their alternative ideas with the project team."

Labour parliamentary candidate Roma Mills said: "To describe this as a fiasco is an understatement.

"A matter of weeks ago, Melvyn Teare, the portfolio holder for heritage, arts and tourism, was describing this as an excellent scheme. Now it has been dropped like a stone."