PLANS for a new multiplex cinema and restaurant centre to replace the multi-storey car park in Bricket Road, St Albans were approved this week at a secret council meeting, despite concerns from Tory councillors.

Members of St Albans District Council's policy and resources committee met in private on Tuesday to agree a contract from developers Simons Developments to work with cinema operators CineUK on the project, to include an eight-screen cinema, five restaurants, bars, art gallery and a new car park.

The Conservative group, lead by Councillor Paul Foster, abstained from voting to agree plans drawn up by developers, wanting an assurance that the cinema complex would be able to support itself financially.

Councillor Foster said: 'The Conservative group support the cinema in principle. For this reason we have supported it and we continue to support it. However, we are not satisfied with all the financial implications and other risks to the council and residents have yet to be defined.

'We felt that it was wrong for the council to enter into a 150-year binding contract with the developers at this stage and therefore we abstained in the vote.'

Liberal Democrat policy and resources chairman Chris Oxley confirmed that councillors agreed the cinema proposal should now be moved onto to the planning and public consultation stage.

He said: 'The agreements are 95 to 98 per cent completed and I would expect them to be signed by the end of August unless there is some sort of hiccup that no-one can help.

'Councillor are happy to do their best to provide this facility.'

Simons Developments hope to start work on site in spring 2001 with a view to opening the complex in summer 2002.