Plans for a new cinema in Hertford have fallen apart after the cinema operator pulled out of plans for a cinema on top on a supermarket.

Council Depot

This was the second proposal to fall through after the initial operator Metrodome also pulled out of the plan, which would have seen a combined cinema and Lidl supermarket on the Mill Road site.

The planning application for the supermarket topped by a four-screen cinema on council owned land was approved by EHDC's planning sub-committee on Wednesday 3rd May 2000.

Written objections were raised about the plans from residents of neighbouring St.John's Court and Mitre Court, together with Hertford Civic Society. Concerns were also expressed by the Folly Island Residents Association and Inland Waterways.

The objector's main concerns were the size of the building, which is over 52 feet high. Hertford Civic Society called it "large and intrusive" and criticised the lack of artists' impressions of the building. EHDC's Director of Planning and Property, David Beales, conceded that some properties in St.John's Court would be substancially affected by the development.

Conditions applied to the planning approval included changes to the road layout and pedestrian facilities, including a bridge linking the site to a car park adjacent to Hartham Common.

The cinema would have featured blockbuster movies as well as independent films, a children's club and school screenings. Car parking was proposed for 107 vehicles, with footbridge access to the nearby car park adjacent to Hartham Common, which has around 80 car parking spaces.

The District Council now plan to re-market the site.

Background

The East Herts District Council Depot at Mill Road became vacant when council contractors moved to Ware.

The initial plan was to develop a supermarket on the site, which is close to the Town centre and yards from the Tesco Store. However, residents were largely against the plan and a 700 signature petition for community use was submitted to the authority.

The project suffered a blow however in 1998 when Metrodome plc withdrew plans for a four screen cinema and leisure complex.

Although there is much support for the project, both from the Town Council and the general population in the town, there is concern amoungst local residents at the noise and lack of parking.

The last cinema in Hertford closed in 1982. The County Cinema was the largest of four that once existed in the town. The 1930's Art Deco building was demolished shortly after despite widespread protest.