Plans for 57 homes near the A41 in Watford have been formally submitted.

A newsletter detailing the scheme for land north of Russell Lane was shared with nearby residents in August, following which a planning application has now been submitted to Watford Borough Council.

It involves a mix of three, four, and five-bedroom homes with gardens, 87 parking spaces, 114 cycle spaces, landscaping, a play area, and a new road. There are 14 homes for affordable housing included in the proposal.

The site was allocated for residential development in the Watford Local Plan, which gave an indicative yield of 93 units. It added that proposals should demonstrate safe access has been provided, be designed to minimise the impact on homes and open space to the south, mitigate the impact of noise from nearby roads, and contribute to improvements for the local green belt.

The Russell Lane development would only be accessible from Hempstead Road. According to the newsletter, this is because discussions with Hertfordshire County Council ruled out any access to the A41 or the A411 Hempstead Road on safety grounds.

Acoustic screening would be installed to reduce noise for existing residents.

Watford Observer: The land north of Russell Lane.The land north of Russell Lane. (Image: Google Maps/Canva)

The conclusion to the proposal says: “Unlike the majority of the recent housing provision in the town, this scheme will provide housing for families.

“In particular the application delivers fourteen affordable family housing units within Watford, which will go some way to meeting the high demand for these units in the town.”

It adds: “We consider that this scheme will contribute to the emerging character of this part of Watford.

Watford Observer: Proposed site plan.Proposed site plan. (Image: Wakelin Associates Architects)

“The proposed development is of the correct scale and will complement the surroundings area in terms of design, detailing, landscaping, materials, scale and massing.”

The homes would be three-storey with near-flat roofs. There would be 24 three-bedrooms, 25 four-bedrooms and eight-five bedrooms.

The play area would only be 230 square-metres, slightly smaller than a tennis court, but the plan highlights that Goodwood Recreation ground is just 600 metres away from the site.