PLANS for a new eight-screen cinema and leisure complex in St Albans are expected to given the green light by councillors next week.

The cinema complex, including restaurants, bars, an art gallery and a multi-storey car park, is expected to be built in place of the Bricket Road car park behind the Alban Arena.

Draft plans from developers Simons Estates and cinema operators CineUK will go before a special meeting of St Albans District Council's policy and resources committee next Tuesday.

Committee chairman Chris Oxley said the council was fully briefed by property advisors and lawyers, and he was optimistic that councillors would support the project.

He said: 'There will be some major hurdles to jump in planning terms to make sure the building fits in well with the St Albans environment.

'We were all extremely disappointed when the old cinema closed and there has been a concerted effort to get the project to this stage.

'The old cinema was closed by Odeon when they opened a new one in Hemel Hempstead. The St Albans cinema was making a profit.'

Committee member and Tory group leader Paul Foster said: 'Whilst I don't think there is anyone who does not support a cinema in St Albans, we don't want one that the district council has to pay for because it is not commercially viable.

'There is a capital contribution from the council and a lot of officer time has gone into the project.'

Once plans are agreed, developers hope to finish the project by late summer 2002.