New plans have come forward to redevelop a town centre site that had been earmarked for a 22 storey tower.

The latest proposal is for a smaller residential development of up to 12 floors after Watford Borough Council officers indicated they would not support the initial scheme.

The site is the former RBS bank in Clarendon Road by Watford ring road.

Applicants IDA London Holdings believes the land can help contribute towards Watford's housing need and have proposed building 65 flats in a building ranging from eight to 12 storeys.

Watford Observer: The proposed building pictured on the right of up to 12 floors. Credit: IDA London Holdings/Iceni ProjectsThe proposed building pictured on the right of up to 12 floors. Credit: IDA London Holdings/Iceni Projects

IDA's previous scheme for 103 flats over 22 floors, which it withdrew in October, was criticised by local councillors for its size, with council officers agreeing the proposal would have "dominated" the area and "negatively affected" nearby heritage buildings such as Watford Palace Theatre and Beechen Grove Baptist Church.

Watford Observer: This scheme for 22 floors by the same applicants on the same site was withdrawn in October. Credit: IDA London Holdings/Iceni ProjectsThis scheme for 22 floors by the same applicants on the same site was withdrawn in October. Credit: IDA London Holdings/Iceni Projects

The applicants say its new scheme, which was submitted to the council this week, is of "high architectural quality" that has been "sensitively designed" and "respects and enhances" the character of the area.

None of the 65 flats are proposed to be affordable with a viability assessment submitted which is said to conclude affordable housing would not be "viable" because of site constraints.

Instead, the developer is proposing to pay a contribution to affordable housing elsewhere in the borough.

The development is also proposed to be car-free with no car parking spaces but there would be 102 cycling spaces.

The ground floor would be set aside for commercial use which would be available to both residents and the wider community.

Watford Observer: Pictured is how the withdrawn scheme (left) and the new scheme would look from further down Watford ring road. Credit: IDA London Holdings/Iceni ProjectsPictured is how the withdrawn scheme (left) and the new scheme would look from further down Watford ring road. Credit: IDA London Holdings/Iceni Projects

According to the planning statement for this scheme, pre-application talks with the council this time round have been "very positive" whereas officers advised during pre-application advice for the 22 storey tower scheme they would not be willing to support.

The planning application can be found on the council's planning portal via reference 21/01811/FULM.