Colney Butts House in Vicarage Road in Watford demolished

Colney Butts House in Vicarage Road was formerly a printers, standing yards from the football ground, but has now been reduced to rubble.

Originally part of a farm and recorded as existing in the 18th century, the property was sold to Watford Printers in 1924, employing 80 people according to a blog post on the West Watford History Group website.

The property since underwent several changes including extensions and developer GS8 said in planning papers the building had become "dilapidated" and eyed the land up as a redevelopment opportunity.

Colney Butts House and associated buildings before demolition. Credit: Stephen Danzig/We Grew Up in Watford Facebook

The developer says the building had become 'dilapidated'. Credit: Stephen Danzig/We Grew Up in Watford Facebook

The site, which is next door to Vicarage Road service station, is bordered up after locally listed Colney Butts House, two workshops - one most recently used as a cab firm - and a letting agents came down.

Pictured after the demolition. Credit: Stephen Danzig/We Grew Up in Watford Facebook

Pictured after the demolition. Credit: Stephen Danzig/We Grew Up in Watford Facebook

Watford Borough Council granted permission in March 2019 to redevelop the site.

The approved plans were for 30 flats in a part three, part four-storey building. However, a sign at the site says there is permission for 36 flats.

Colney Butts House before demolition. Credit: Stephen Danzig/We Grew Up in Watford Facebook

The 2019 plans did not include any affordable housing or any car parking.

A viability assessment submitted by the applicant states the development could not support any affordable housing provision.