A developer which tried to demolish a High Street building for 36 homes is now trying to convert it after rejection.

Despite the number of homes proposed being reduced from a previous proposal, the planning application to knock down a vacant office building at 250 Lower High Street, near the Tesco Extra supermarket, was rejected at the beginning of November.

An appeal was lodged, with final contributions made by February 22, but while it is not yet decided the developer has already made a new proposal.

Submitted this morning (April 3), the change of use would see the vacant former offices, Jessa House, reworked internally to fill the three floors with apartments while maintaining the exterior.

There would be ten studio apartments and three one-bedroom two-person apartments.

No parking would be provided.

Watford Observer: CGI view of the refused application.CGI view of the refused application. (Image: Watford Borough Council planning portal, Benchmark Architects, Nazmo Ltd)

Demolishing the building was rejected because, according to Watford Borough Council, it would not fit in with the local context, fails to offer high quality accommodation, and would cause loss of light and privacy for neighbours.

The council did not raise an issue with the principal of car-free homes at the site.

The site has been vacant since 2012.