Council highways officers have knocked-back plans for a 57-home development, partly over an already congested junction.

A planning application for the development, between the A41 and Russell Lane in Watford, was submitted to Watford Borough Council at the end of October but many neighbours have objected, particularly over potential access issues.

Last week, The Highways Authority published its assessment of the plan and found that there is insufficient information supplied with it for the council body to reach a recommendation.

It added that the surrounding highway network had not been fully assessed and the proposed mitigation measures (‘keep clear’ road markings on the junction of Courtlands Drive/Hempstead Road) “are not sufficient”.

It added the plan did not provide sufficient improvements for walking and cycling.

“The applicant needs to consider all the above issues and submit additional information to the Highway Authority for further consideration,” the report said.

It highlighted issues including the way the developer’s assessment was carried out, stretches of road that were not assessed, and the ratio of traffic it projected would avoid the Hemel Hempstead junction.

The report added: “Considering the fact that the network is already congested any additional traffic is adding onto the existing problems and making the situation worse.”

Watford Observer: The field that would be built on is currently home to these ponies.The field that would be built on is currently home to these ponies. (Image: Courtlands Residents' Association)

Further mitigation measures will be required to improve the current problems, the authority said, adding that it expects all developments proposed in the area to contribute.

The proposal itself 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.

The site was allocated for residential development in the Watford Local Plan, which added that proposals should demonstrate safe access has been provided.

Watford Observer: The land north of Russell Lane where the homes would be built.The land north of Russell Lane where the homes would be built. (Image: Google Maps/Canva)

Developer North Western Avenue Ltd had previously said that it consulted with the Highway Authority early on, and that they agreed that the new homes should be accessed from Hempstead Road.

It added: “We've designed this entrance to meet all road safety rules and even had an independent audit to make sure it's safe.

"Our transportation study shows that Hempstead Road can support the additional traffic from our new homes.

“As part of the study the nearby junction at A411 Hempstead Road and Courtlands Drive was examined and found that this junction is able to accommodate the additional traffic.”

The developer has been approached for an updated comment following the Highways report.