Neighbours are opposing plans to build a temporary retail park right on their doorstep, wiping out a beloved public green in the process.

A proposal to knock down the existing shops and flats at The Brow in Watford replacing them with new retail units and social housing, has been submitted to the council by the Watford Community Housing Trust.  

As part of the project, the trust initially proposed a “temporary retail park” on Black Hill for a period of up to two years, although this was rejected by residents. As a result, an alternative location on Cobb Green has been mooted by residents of The Brow.

However nearby neighbours are opposing the proposed site, citing problems with anti-social behaviour at the shops which, they think, would be brought closer to their homes.

They also disagree with the building of temporary structures on the “beautiful” green, saying they will “ruin a beautiful green space and take away another green site from where we live”.

“The green is what makes our homes special. We have additional outdoor space that both children and adults can enjoy,” said Georgina Cooper, who started a petition objecting to the Cobb Green retail park.

“We as a community heartily object to the proposal for temporary shops to be located on our green.”

She added that residents were worried about disruption from early morning deliveries and late opening hours, and the negative effect this would have on the value of their homes.

Alternative sites for the retail park have been suggested by The Brow residents, including a nearby field behind the community hub on Alban Wood.

To create the new development, the existing shops and flats on The Brow would be demolished and replaced with eight new retail units, 37 affordable housing flats and a community hub, plus 38 off-street car parking spaces.

Gareth Lewis, director of partnerships at the Watford Community Housing Trust, said: “As part of our vision for the much-needed redevelopment of The Brow, we are continuing to consult local residents in order to give them a chance to share their views on a number of options for the temporary relocation of the shops during the main construction works.

“We want to gather opinions from as many people as possible so that we can respond to any concerns and find the best possible solution for local residents, as well as the existing shopkeepers.

“We are committed to finding satisfactory outcomes for those businesses and to maintaining these important amenities that are used by many people locally.

“We believe that the redevelopment of The Brow will dramatically improve the local area for the people who live there, as well as providing more modern and affordable housing for Watford, so our aim is to provide a solution that works for as many people as possible.”