A former college campus in north Watford will be replaced by 250 houses and apartments.

The Leggatts site of West Herts College, which is no longer used by students or staff, will also provide community facilities for local residents, such as a shop and doctor's surgery.

Home building company Taylor Wimpey bought the 7.7 hectare site, bound by the A41 and Leggatts Way, in March and are expected to submit a full planning application to Watford Borough Council at the end of this month.

The plans, revealed at a meeting organised by Consensus Planning last night (Monday), do not affect the Bill Everett Community Centre (BECC), which is owned by Hertfordshire County Council. The BECC will not become a target for redevelopers until both Watford Central and Woodside leisure centres reopen next year.

The Leggatts campus will be split into two sections - the playing fields (4.5 hectares) and the existing buildings (3.2 hectares).

The playing fields will remain greenfield space and responsibility of its upkeep will be transferred to Watford Borough Council. However, Taylor Wimpey will continue to own the land, which will provde pitches for adult, junior and seven-a-side football. There will also be a new children's playground.

The remaining land will be transformed into a mix of apartment buildings and houses. Thirty per cent will be affordable housing.

For more, see Friday's Watford Observer.