The face of Watford High Street could see a stark change after proposals for a new development have been updated.
In 2019, APG Portfolio Management Limited submitted an application to redevelop the area between 101-107 High Street and build 100 flats over eight storeys.
Though no decision has been made by Watford Borough Council (WBC), new documents were added to the application in late October and mid-November this year, suggesting that the plans for the site between Primark and Marks & Spencer could be back on track.
The new documents now suggest a reduced number of 59 homes.
A planning statement from hgh Consulting states: “The scheme has been substantially amended in light of further consultation with WBC, Place Services and Historic England and a Place Shaping Design Review process.”
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told WATFORDnews: “This seems like a crazy scheme. An eight-storey block of flats is going to look ridiculous in the middle of the High Street.
“There’s already a problem with lots of empty shops in the shopping centre; a scheme like this isn’t going to encourage people to shop in Watford.”
The application has received mixed consultee comments, including approval from Thames Water, and objections from Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) as Highway Authority and Lead Local Flood Authority.
The application also received conditional approval from WBC’s environmental health officer Mark Jefferies and HCC’s graduate minerals and waste policy officer Shalini Kumar.
Speaking to WATFORDnews, hgh Consulting principal planner Sian Thomas said: “We have had lots of positive engagement with the council post- and pre-submission. The site would benefit from regeneration, and the council recognised that as well.”
Sian explained that it was WBC that suggested fewer units and to offer more affordable housing.
She continued: “It is a high-quality design in a sustainable location on an underutilised site. It is the back end of a site that is just a vacant, concrete area. It really focuses on regenerating that end of the High Street.
“We’re really excited with the proposal, especially that it offers affordable housing in a great location.”
To view the full planning application, search 19/01340/FULM on WBC’s Planning Portal.
This is an extremely controversial plan. A beautiful, historic city center is set to be destroyed, all in the name of the developer’s profit. Promises of affordable housing seem to be nothing but empty words, especially given the constantly rising property prices. It’s hard to understand how anyone could destroy such a unique place that is part of the city’s heritage and history. If we allow one developer to take this step, others will surely follow, and all that will remain of our city center will be memories. Is this really what we want?