Watford health campus plans unveiled

Plans to transform Watford General Hospital and its surroundings into a vibrant new community have been unveiled and are available to view until February 18. Local residents, businesses and visitors to the town are invited to comment on the new Watford Health Campus master plan, which gives details of the proposals for the 29 hectares stretching from Watford Hospital, down to the River Colne and Wiggenhall Road. Watford Health Campus partners Watford Health Campus Partnership LLP and West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust are holding a series of public exhibitions where the master plan will be available to view and comment on. These are taking place at Watford Football Club’s Corporate Lounge on Friday, January 17 from 1pm to 7pm and Saturday, January 18 from 12noon to 3pm. Locals can also view them at Watford Town Hall, Committee Room 2, on Thursday, January 20 from 10am to 1.30pm. Members of the Watford Health Campus team will be available at the sessions to answer questions on the master plan and the scheme overall. Dorothy Thornhill MBE, Elected Mayor of Watford, says: “The Watford Health Campus partners are delighted that, after months of work by the team, plans are finally ready to share with the community. Over this time, many local people have asked me what they could expect from the Watford Health Campus and it’s great news that we now have something people can look at that brings the scheme to life. “We have been very demanding about what we want to see happen on the site: good quality homes, new business premises to encourage job opportunities, great open spaces with places for people to walk and exercise and the right mix of facilities such as shops, restaurants and cafés. Getting it right is vital for Watford; the scheme will take up to 20 years to deliver but a good master plan is a great start.” Samantha Jones, Chief Executive of West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, added: “Watford Hospital is at the centre of the Watford Health Campus and, in time, the plans will offer numerous benefits to our patients, their friends and families and our staff. “I’d encourage local people to get involved and to help shape the master plan.”