A date has been set for when St Albans council will decide whether the BHS site redevelopment can go ahead.

The planning application to demolish the department store building and build a 130-bed hotel and retail units will be considered by the planning referrals committee on Monday, July 16.

It has been called in by St Peter’s ward councillor Simon Grover, who said: “I think it’s an important, large proposal for the centre of town and it’s really important councillors get to study it carefully.

“I do think there are some positive aspects in bringing the site back to life as there is demand for hotel places in the town centre and it sounds like they have a plan to keep the ground floor commercially viable, which has got to be good.”

Council officers have recommended the applicant, Reef Estates, be refused planning permission, despite the application being supported by the Civic Society and directors of the Chamber of Commerce.