A large empty office building and a multi-storey car park will be knocked down ahead of a proposed new development.

Permission has been secured from Three Rivers District Council to knock down Hertford Place in Maple Cross.

Hertford Place is a building of around 57,000 square foot spread over four storeys off Denham Way.

It was formerly used as offices and at the back of the site, there is a multi-storey car park for 218 spaces.

Watford Observer: The car park that will be demolished. Credit: Google MapsThe car park that will be demolished. Credit: Google Maps

According to a statement published on the council's planning portal, the application seeks to demolish both the building and car park in order to make the site "readily available for development".

The applicant, financial services and asset management company Legal & General, is currently seeking pre-application advice from the council to build new "contemporary" warehouses on-site, with a full planning application expected later this year.

Watford Observer: Hertford Place and the car park next to it. Credit: Google MapsHertford Place and the car park next to it. Credit: Google Maps

Legal & General submitted a prior notification application to the council to demolish Hertford Place and the car park, which was approved by the council on Friday (August 20).

Work on the site to demolish the structures is expected to start immediately.

Watford Observer: Hertford Place viewed from Denham Way. Credit: Google MapsHertford Place viewed from Denham Way. Credit: Google Maps

As part of the application, a demolition method statement was published outlining how the demolition will take place. The statement also includes measures on what is being done to minimise disruption to any locals.

An arboricultural method statement has also been prepared by arboricultural consultancy firm Seed.

This includes a tree protection plan which sets out the measures "considered necessary" to protect the trees along the front of the site in Denham Way. These trees are protected by a tree preservation order.

Watford Observer: A row of trees in Denham Way on the edge of the Hertford Place site are said to be protected by a tree preservation order (TPO). Credit: Google MapsA row of trees in Denham Way on the edge of the Hertford Place site are said to be protected by a tree preservation order (TPO). Credit: Google Maps

According to the statement prepared by Seed, seven trees that are not protected by a tree preservation order need to be completely felled in order to facilitate the demolition.

A further eight unprotected trees will either be left alone or have some work done to them, such as the canopy being reduced or deadwood taken out.