A major property developer will start work on its first Watford project later this year – even though the Met Line Extension plan has been scrapped.

Cortland Partners are still looking forward to bringing a 23-storey tower block of 485 new homes to Ascot Road, even though Mayor of London Sadiq Khan pulled the plug on the long-awaited scheme.

Executive partner Richard Olsen says the company, which recently merged with Orion Land and Leisure, is still looking forward to investing in Watford.

He has vowed to support a petition, launched by Watford MP Richard Harrington, calling on Mr Khan to reverse his decision.

“We love the area,” he said. “Of course were disappointed when the Met Line plan was stopped. It was exciting when Boris Johnson signed it off.

“It’s a shame, but we are still determined to move ahead.

“Watford has a good town centre, will have a new hospital, road improvements and schools are fantastic.

“We started looking at Watford some time ago, around four or five years ago, and felt it was a great area.

“Watford has been transformed over the past five years.”

He has also vowed to look into creating better transport links, including buses, in the area.

Mr Olsen, who is planning on meeting Mr Harrington on Monday to do discuss the issue, said: “We would like to see an alternative bus route.

“I think it’s something the businseses would like and benefit those on the business parks.

“There is a bus route but it’s intermittent. We’d like to see something that runs a little more frequently through the town centre, the health campus, the high street.

“It would be helpful for everybody.”

Although the new build will not offer many car parking spaces, the team are keen to encourage cycling and electric cars.

Charging ports as well as bicycle docks will all be on site in a bid to help reduce pollution.

Mr Wright said: “One of the great benefits of our site is that we are located so close to businesses that we are expecting people in the community to be able to walk to work.”

And the team is so passionate about Watford that it is hoping to open a branch in Clarendon Road.

Meanwhile, its Ascot Road development will capture the USA’s “customer service” ethos.

Cortland now want to include the ‘extras’ for the flagship scheme, to raise the standard of ‘build to rent’.

The development will have a concierge, and will take in online shopping to store in a cold room. There will also be a gym with a full-time personal trainer and classes, plus a rooftop deck and outdoor space to entertain.

The plans for the four buildings, which include 169 affordable homes as well as a retail park, were given permission in July.

The designs include a garden and woodland walkway.

The brownfield site was bought in 2014 and will create an extra 430 permanent jobs in the area.