Exchange House flats development to be decided next week

Watford Borough Council's planning committee will meet on Tuesday (July 6) to discuss plans to redevelop Exchange House.

A proposal has been submitted to demolish the building on the ring road and create a 16 storey building in its place with 261 flats.

The application was scheduled to be considered in March this year but applicants 60 Exchange Road Ltd withdrew the item from the agenda in order to reduce the size of the building.

The latest plans for 16 storeys is down from 21 storeys and the 261 flats would be created in a 'C' shaped building on the corner of the ring road and Upton Road.

CGI of the Exchange House development

At its lowest, the building will be five storeys, while there will a ground floor space for community and leisure use.

The application proposes that 20 per cent of the development is provided for affordable housing, while a total of 12 parking spaces will be provided with the development designed to be 'car-free'.

Exchange House currently. This building would be demolished

Explaining why the plans had been altered, Peter Jeffery, planning consultant with Sphere25, said: "The revised application seeks to develop a building of between five and 16 storeys containing 261 apartments, a ground floor unit of 74sqm for community/leisure use and a publicly accessible amenity area and children’s play space.

"The scheme design has evolved over the last two years following ongoing feedback received from the major application review panel, Watford’s place shaping panel and the wider community.

"Further amendments were made to the proposals following a review of the officer’s draft committee report in relation to the previous 21 storey scheme, as it was felt that a lower rise scheme would be a better fit for the area and would better meet the council’s aspirations."

The proposed development as seen from further up the ring road

He added: "The applicant team has worked hard on the scheme for over two years to achieve the best proposal, so we really wanted to get it right and not present the wrong approach to the planning committee.

"The existing building has prior approval granted for a change of use from office to create 126 apartments. If this prior approval scheme were to be developed, then no affordable housing or other community benefits included within the proposals would be delivered.

"We believe the application has addressed any issues raised during extensive consultation and will deliver significant community benefits and make a fantastic contribution to the regeneration of the borough."

Members of the public will be able to watch the planning meeting online. Full details of the application and a link to the meeting can be found here.