A major development in Watford is not under threat despite news that a firm is set to cut more than a thousand jobs.

Watford Borough Council says Kier remain “100 per cent committed” to the Watford Riverwell regeneration which will see land near Watford General Hospital transformed into more than 1,000 homes, a primary school, hotel, retirement village, shops, and a multi-storey car park.

The £450m development is being delivered as a joint venture between Kier and the council.

Earlier this week, construction firm Kier said it will be cutting 1,200 jobs as it tries to make savings of £55m a year by 2021.

The company will sell its homebuilding business Kier Living.

Opposition leader at Watford Borough Council, Cllr Nigel Bell, said it is “natural” to have concerns after Kier’s announcement on job cuts.

He said: “The council has such a close relationship with Kier. As far as we are concerned, when we see Kier will be cutting 1,200 jobs, it is natural we will have concerns.”

But a spokeswoman for the council said: “Kier have told us there will be no impact on Riverwell as a result of the Kier Group reorganisations. Kier Property are 100 per cent committed to developing out the scheme.”

And managing director for Kier Property Regeneration, Andrew Storey, has echoed the council, saying the Watford Riverwell project is 'continuing as planned'.

The Kier group is also involved in other major national projects including Crossrail and HS2.