A car-free hotel will “bring to life” a derelict site close to Watford Junction.

Travelodge will operate the new 62-bedroom venue - a part-four storey, part-six storey building at the junction of Westland Road and Station Road – after planning permission was granted by Watford Borough Council's Development Control Committee last night.

The development will replace existing vacant buildings in an area close to the Junction station, bus stops and within walking distance to the town centre - considerations that meant it was accepted as a car-free proposal by the council's planning officers.


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Peter Young, representing the Central Town Residents' Association, told the committee he feared the hotel would overpower neighbouring properties.

He said: “If approved, this will have a detrimental affect on the neighbourhood and the quality of our lives there.

“This is a hotel and there is no provision for motor vehicles on that site. I see this as being a major problem.

“This is going to be a major nightmare.”

Douglas Bond, speaking for the developers, revealed just two responses were received after a neighbourhood consultation involving 131 properties.

He said: “This scheme will bring this site back into life and enhance not only the character and appearance but the functionality of this locality.

“This will result in real jobs in these difficult economic times.”

He added: “It's quite common for hotels in these sorts of locations not to provide parking.”

Councillor Rabi Martins said: “That site has been standing there for quite a while and it's beginning to become an eye sore. A development there is clearly to be welcomed. The last thing we want is another office building standing empty forever.”

Councillor Andrew Mortimer raised fears about the lack of parking for hotel guests.

He said: “I know the government requires us to consider areas close to public transport to be car-free but reality does exist and people will park in the street, or not as the case may be as the streets are already very full.”

Councillor Fawziyyah Qureshi added: “It's an excellent proposal bringing this site back into use and will bring much needed employment to the area.”

The development was approved by six votes to one, as Councillor Sheila Smillie stood alone in her dislike of the proposal.

“I absolutely hate this design,” she said. “I think it's absolutely horrible. It's too high, too overbearing and looks like a big brown box is going to be stuck there.

“I'm getting tired of white and brown buildings around Watford. In years to come, you'll be able to pinpoint the decade of the buildings. Hopefully it will be out of fashion soon.”