Curtain up again on cinema project (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Curtain up again on cinema project

12:09pm Tuesday 18th July 2006 in News By Alex Lewis

THE troubled St Albans city centre cinema project took a step forward last week, with the district council cabinet agreeing a plan to scale down the proposed building.

A planning application for an eight-storey mainly residential block incorporating a seven-screen cinema was withdrawn in May after massive opposition, but the council hopes a smaller building would be acceptable.

Meeting last Tuesday, the cabinet agreed changes to the original design brief which would reduce the number of flats developer Henry Davidson would need to incorporate to finance the deal.

The main change is a reduction in the underground car parking, although the developer will also be granted concessions over the proportion of affordable flats and the cash contribution.

But reducing parking is potentially a stumbling block, as the building, which would be built on top of the existing council car park in Bricket Road, will have to also provide space for cinema users and the new residents.

Councillor Melvyn Teare, who is charge of the project, said the authority was looking at various ways of reducing its demand for parking spaces for its own workers.

But he said there were no plans reduce the number of screens or scale down the cinema itself in any way.

Labour councillor Malcolm MacMillan said: "It beggars belief that we are no further forward with this project.

"The Lib Dem cabinet had allowed the project to drift until the planning application made by the developer Henry Davidson was withdrawn at the last minute in May.

"They have failed to provide a clear steer for the project. We will be asking the council to recommend the appointment of a project manager, who can ensure the council keeps to an agreed timetable and keeps council informed."

Independent councillor John Newman argues the cabinet should involve potential critics such as the St Albans Civic Society in the design to forestall opposition.

Councillor Teare said a project manager had already been appointed, council officer Clive Miller, who was well versed in planning and development issues and that new chief executive Daniel Goodwin was already involved as well.

Council officers are meeting Henry Davidson to discuss their revised design brief this week.