Work begins on building new homes at Riverwell site

The Watford Riverwell scheme – formerly known as the Health Campus - has previously been described as an “ambitious plan to transform the land surrounding Watford General Hospital over the next 10 to 15 years”.

The Woodlands aspect of the project includes 95 new homes near Watford General Hospital – including that 29 affordable homes which will be owned and managed by Watford Community Housing.

Jarvis Contracting has been awarded the contract to deliver Woodlands and apartments are expected to be ready to move into in Spring 2019.

Dorothy Thornhill and Andrew Storey, the senior development director from Kier were joined by senior representatives from Watford Riverwell’s other project partners including Jarvis Contracting, Watford Community Housing, Mayfield Villages and West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust to mark the occasion last week.

Speaking at the event, Mayor Thornhill said: “It has taken a lot of hard work and determination to get to this day and I am absolutely delighted that we are now ready to start work on the first new homes at Riverwell.

“We know how badly needed these homes are for Watford – especially the affordable ones. I am also pleased that the Riverwell team has taken time to get the design right and ensure they are good quality homes, which will look fantastic in this woodland setting.

Not only will this scheme provide much needed homes, but also help give our hospital the opportunity for some much-needed redevelopment work on their existing facility. I am really proud that we have got to this stage.”

In December 2017, Watford Riverwell submitted a planning application to Watford Borough Council for the second housing phase of the development, known as Waterside, which will include building 408 new homes and a retirement village accommodating 250 people.

A decision on the application is expected this month.

An artist's impression of the development.