Long-running ambitions to rejuvenate a dilapidated part of Watford town centre have received planning permission for the third time.

Bannister Properties Ltd last night (Thursday) won approval for plans to refurbish the former bank and Robert Peel pub, on the corner of High Street and King Street, and construct adjoining buildings to provide retail units, restaurant space and 24 flats.

Similar proposals had previously been given permission in March 2008 and July 2010.

But they were brought back to Watford Borough Council's development control committee after changes were made to incorporate seven restaurants and one shop.

The intention in the past had been to provide four restaurants and four shops.

Planning officer Paul Baxter said: “Demand for retail units hasn't been particularly high in recent years. Just north of this site, there are three or four [empty] retail units, one of which has been vacant longer than this site, to my memory.

“There are also a couple of other retail units that have been effectively long term vacant and that doesn't put us in a particularly good position to demand more retail [space].

“They had more interest in restaurants than they anticipated so there seemed little point building more retail units.”

Councillor Nigel Bell said many people now wanted to see the site “get on”.

“We cannot take a view on the quality of the seven restaurants but I hope they're acceptable and good for the town,” he said.

Councillor Lindsey Scudder said a greater mix of units “would be nice”.

She added: “It's brilliant we will hopefully have more quality restaurants and bring some people down from the other end of town. It's been a blight on the end of town. I think it's really positive.”

Committee chairman Councillor Rabi Martins added: “As a ward councillor, I have been biting my finger nails watching the building deteriorate more and more and there's a danger if something is not done soon, it will deteriorate further.”