Councillors hit out at plans for 22-storey flats in Watford

Earlier this month, an application was submitted for 103 flats over 22 floors on the corner of Clarendon Road and the ring road.

But local Central Watford councillors have already hit out at the scheme, which they say would see the creation of a "totally out of character" building more than twice the height of any in the immediate area.

Borough councillors Aga Dychton and Marilyn Devonish, along with county councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst, say they are particularly concerned about the "detrimental" effect the proposed development would have on nearby listed buildings such as Watford Palace Theatre and Beechen Grove Baptist Church.

Left to right: Central Watford Lib Dem councillors Marilyn Devonish, Stephen Giles-Medhurst, and Aga Dychton

Cllr Giles-Medhurst said: "Whilst clearly in order to meet the government's housing targets this site was always likely to be developed, the developer is asking for too much and too high.

"Had they gone for say the same height as Jury Inn, ideally less, we probably would have to live with but this is more than twice the height and will overshadow over other residents living here next to the site."

CGI of the proposed scheme with Beechen Grove Baptist Church in the forefront. Credit: IDA London Holdings/Iceni Projects

He has dubbed the proposal as "Tory Towers" because the developer has cited the need to meet the government housing targets in Watford as justification for the scheme.

The 22-storey tower on the site of the former RBS bank would become Watford's joint-third highest building if it were to be approved.

Building of 28, 24, and 22 storeys in Watford have been passed in recent years by Liberal Democrat colleagues of the Central Watford councillors.

In its planning statement, applicants IDA London Holdings say "from an early stage", the scale and the height of the building was identified by both Watford Borough Council officers and the Design Review Panel as "acceptable and suitable for the context of the site".

The proposed development with Jury's Inn on the left and the church also pictured. Credit: IDA London Holdings/Iceni Projects

While the applicants acknowledge the "significant height" of the proposed building, they say the tower would form a "prominent and distinctive" part of Watford’s future skyline, adding the proposed car-free development is considered to be of the "high architectural quality, which respects and enhances the character and appearance of the local area".

Cllr Dychton has also hit out at the lack of affordable housing proposed.

She said: "The lack of any affordable housing is totally unacceptable. We met with the developers and explained our concerns especially over the height.

"We were shocked to learn that these will be high-end luxury apartments with a creche and all with balconies. This does nothing to help Watford's families and young people to have homes in our town centre."

The RBS bank building from the rear, which would be demolished

The applicants have published a financial viability assessment in the planning portal, prepared by specialists DS2 LLP.

The report concludes the proposed scheme (with 100 per cent market housing) is "unable to viably support the provision of affordable housing" because the residual land value produced by the proposed scheme is lower than the benchmark land value.

The applicants have proposed to pay £250,000 to the council to support affordable housing provision elsewhere in Watford, and will also pay £1.14 million in Community Infrastructure Levy which will go towards delivering infrastructure needed to support development in the area.

The plans can be found on the council's planning portal. The reference is 21/00887/FULM.