Plans to turn one of Watford’s oldest pubs into flats and a restaurant have been lambasted by a campaigner who fought to save the establishment.

Sara Maloney campaigned vociferously to save The One Bell, in High Street, collecting thousands of signatures, including those of rival football supporters who frequented the watering hole on match days, to support her cause.

She even managed to get the pub listed as an asset of community value, which she thought meant it could not be drastically redeveloped without its former patrons being notified.

However Watford Borough Council said there “no legal requirement” to notify Miss Maloney or any of the signatories, adding that letters were sent out to nearby properties as part of a public consultation on the planning application, as well as notices being placed on site and in the Observer.

“It’s such an historic building. We’ve got enough restaurants in town already. Having a nice, traditional pub is much nicer,” said Miss Maloney.

“It doesn’t look like the council took any notice of the petition at all. We weren’t notified about the planning application. To me, that is quite underhanded.

“They knew that as soon as they got in touch with me, they would’ve had a fight on their hands.”

Watford Observer:

The One Bell in its current guise

She pointed to the fact that the latest planning application was registered for “90 High Street” rather than “The One Bell” on the council’s planning portal, meaning interested parties could not keep abreast of planning developments easily.

“Anyone who wanted to look it up would’ve searched for The One Bell,” she added.

On the other hand, Mayor of Watford Dorothy Thornhill welcomed the decision to transform the ailing pub.

“After its closure I took part in a site visit to The One Bell pub and was absolutely shocked by what I saw,” she said.

“The condition of the building was dreadful - not to mention the smell - and clearly significant work will have to be done to enable this near-derelict building to be re-opened to the public.

“I’m delighted that the current owners plan to convert the disused pub into a restaurant, and I know they will definitely do justice to a much loved historic building.

“A higher quality restaurant is something that a lot of residents have said they feel Watford is missing – so a new restaurant will fit in well with our plans for a family friendly town centre with plenty to do in the daytime and evening alike.”