Member Article

Watford town centre office and apartment project approved

Proposals for a major office and residential development in the centre of Watford have reached a successful conclusion.

Following extensive and detailed negotiations with experts from Coda Planning, Watford Council have approved plans that will see the currently empty Clarendon House building in the centre of the town replaced with a 14 storey building, with four floors of office space and 41 apartments over the other 10 floors.

The project has been under discussion for over two years due to the many complex issues surrounding the development – in particular the Article Four Direction, which restricts use of the area around Clarendon Road for office use only.

“We are delighted that following such a productive consultation period with Watford planners, the town’s councillors have decided to follow the recommendation for approval of this important new scheme,” said Adam Murray, director of Coda Planning.

“The site is currently occupied by a building which has not been used for several years now, even though this is a prime town centre site only minutes away from the railway station and all other amenities.

“Our application doubles the amount of office space available on this site, this will also be “Grade A” space to reflect the office occupiers being attracted to Watford.

“In addition the proposal offers 10 floors of residential apartments, which we consider will be seen as a prime address within the town, due to the striking design of the building and the convenient location.

“We believe that this mixed use development is vital to the future successful growth of the town centre.

“The project has been expertly designed by CODA’s own architects and will use locally sourced materials to create a building which we believe will be a beacon for regeneration in Watford.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by John Highfield .