Plans to build a 23-storey tower block in central Watford could be set in motion next week – although the applicant says it cannot afford to provide any low-cost housing.
Clarendon Road Developments wants to turn the site – currently home to two office buildings – into a part 23, part eight-storey tower containing 154 flats, café and restaurant spaces on the ground and ninth floors, a first floor gym, a landscaped rooftop area, and 11,000 sq m of office space.
This office building will make way for the tower if the plans are approved
Watford Borough Council’s housing policy requires 35 per cent social housing in all schemes of 10 units or more, and only considers a lower level of affordable housing provision in “exceptional circumstances”.
However, following the completion of a viability study, Clarendon Road Developments concluded that it could not provide any affordable housing, either on-site or in the form of a financial contribution.
Cllr Rabi Martins, former chairman of the council’s development management committee, urged the authority to take a “hard line” on the proposed development.
He said: “The lack of affordable housing is a concern. There must come a point where the council digs its heels in.
“My inclination would be to push for social housing and not just accept the viability study findings. The council needs to take a harder line.
“I’m not pretending it’s easy – it’s going to be really very difficult to get an application turned down on viability. The legislation is letting developers off on affordable housing through the viability clause.
“We don’t want Watford to end up as a commuter town for the rich of London. We want it to remain a community town.”
This image displays the height of the new block in comparison with the other buildings on Clarendon Road
The council initially sought more than £6 million from Clarendon Road Developments to provide affordable housing elsewhere but, after four months of negotiations between the two parties, it was agreed that the applicant would only make a minimum contribution of £1.4 million.
However it did agree to review the viability of the development towards the end of the project when actual build costs, sales values, and rental values are known – a decision the firm described as “a sensible approach securing both parties’ positions”.
Watford Borough Council has received several objections from people living in the area citing various concerns, including inadequate parking provision - the scheme will provide 150 parking spaces for office use and 50 for residential spread across three basement levels – the considerable height of the building, and the complete lack of social housing.
The project forms part of a wider scheme to redevelop Clarendon Road through the construction of a number of high-rise buildings in the vicinity of Watford Junction station.
A final decision on the proposal will be made at an open meeting of the council’s development management committee on Wednesday, November 1.
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