PROPOSALS to transform a St Albans city-centre site earmarked for regeneration have been given the thumbs up from most local residents, according to the developers. Antringham Verulamium showcased their �26-million proposal for the Hertfordshire House sit

PROPOSALS to transform a St Albans city-centre site earmarked for regeneration have been given the thumbs up from most local residents, according to the developers.

Antringham Verulamium showcased their �26-million proposal for the Hertfordshire House site in Bricket Road at an exhibition earlier this month.

The development would include an 87-room Travelodge hotel, 12,600 square feet of office space and 46 residential apartments, as well as leisure and retail outlets. The developers said they were pleased with the response to the exhibition.

Tim Blairs, director of Antringham, said 88 per cent of visitors wanted to see the area developed and that two-thirds were happy with their design for the site. He said: "It was very clear local people want an alternative to the existing building. Whilst the application is only for a small area, it does potentially facilitate the redevelopment of this part of St Albans."

However St Albans Civic Society is unhappy with the proposal. Marion Hammant, secretary of the society, said: "What's on offer will wreck any hopes we may have of achieving an imaginative and cohesive scheme for this part of our city. Not only has the site been crammed full of commercial floor space with never a thought for public priority, but the run-of-the-mill, could-be-anywhere architecture will set a precedent for hefty and humdrum design everywhere else."

There is another chance to view the exhibition at the Town Hall between 6pm and 10pm on Monday. A decision on the application is to be made in March.