A “landmark” site that has planning permission for 151 homes has been put on the market for £7 million.

The 1.67-acre industrial land off Chalk Hill, five minutes' walk from Bushey station, was the subject of housing proposals for over 15 years before Watford Borough Council green-lit plans in 2018.

Any development is still subject to a 106 'planning obligation' agreement, which requires 26 units to be affordable housing, £16k towards improving two bus stops, and £30k for a car-club on-site.

Watford Observer: The entrance to the industrial site off the A4008.The entrance to the industrial site off the A4008. (Image: Google Maps)

The latest listing calls the freehold site a “rare opportunity” in the “sought-after commuter town”.

It currently has two vacant industrial units, which used to house the Massey waste transfer station, and one residential unit.

There is provision for 90 square metres of retail or community space, as well as parking for 69 cars, or 46 per cent of the homes.

While council officers admitted in 2018 it was a "challenging site" for redevelopment, the Development Management Committee welcomed the proposals as they increase the local housing supply.

The limited site access and nearby "heritage assets", such as the Grade-II Bushey Arches viaduct, were listed surrounding constraints, but officers felt the design took these into account.

Their report also said that while it had good access to public transport, the nearby roads were "particularly congested" with a "severe shortage" of parking. 

Despite this, officers concluded the plans would regenerate the "neglected" site, with "significant benefit" to the area in terms of landscaping, cycle routes and widening of the pavement.

There were nine public comments lodged with the council, of which all were objections.

Residents were fearful of "over-development" and the additional traffic nearby, with one in Aldenham Road saying the seven-storey height would "overwhelm" and "compromise the heritage" of his home.

Another in Bucks Avenue said the development would "visually dominate" the area and was not in keeping with surrounding buildings.

Various plans had been lodged for the plot since 2007, including an application for 176 flats, which was shot down in July 2009 after the council branded it “unacceptable”.

The listing encourages prospective buyers to use the existing proposals or apply for an alternative scheme, adding that a feasibility study was carried out in 2021 for 220 units over five to 11 storeys.