Plans to demolish Watford High Street buildings
They could be be torn down and rebuilt for flats
Another building in Watford High Street could be torn down and rebuilt for flats, according to new plans.
Councillors from Watford Borough Council will vote next week on proposals for 46 and 48-50 High Street to be redeveloped, which will include new flexible commercial space and an eight-storey apartment building.
The new scheme will be part four, five and eight storeys high to minimise the visual impact on the town centre, and will match other recently approved plans.
The application will allow the High Street units to be used as commercial space or as a pub or bar. 48-50 High Street is currently unoccupied, while 46 High Street is occupied by a Keech Hospice Care charity shop.
The eight storey apartment block is set back from High Street and will be accessed from Wellstones, which follows similar development along the road.
Plans submitted by architects Nissen Richards Studio include 25 apartments, with 16 one-bed units and nine two-bedroom units. Developers have said it is not possible to provide affordable housing within the scheme.
The development will not offer any car parking spaces, with developers noting that the Overground, Metropolitan Underground line, and Watford Junction are within walking distance of the apartments.
The updated building will follow the redevelopment of the expansion of Atria Watford on the opposite side of the road, as well as 58 High Street, occupied by Five Guys and current development at 60 High Street.
The plans are being recommended for approval by council officers, despite both buildings, which date back to the late 19th Century.
The developers argue that their inclusion on the register is as a result of “their age rather than architectural or historic merit”. The application adds that a number of alterations on the building has been done throughout its history, concluding the benefits of the scheme outweigh any harm.
Nissen Richards add that “a contemporary take on materials of the local area” would be applied to the massing, including grey brick, varied brick patterns and bonding and pre-cast concrete, with an intention of complimenting the adjacent buildings.
A report prepared by officers said that work had been done by the developers to address the council’s concerns and the loss of listed buildings is justified through the benefits of two new units and new homes. It concludes: “On balance, this is considered to be a positive addition to the High Street and wider town centre”.
A decision will be made at the borough council’s Development Management Committee on Tuesday, September 7.