Watford Football Club could focus on exploring ways to expand its current stadium after an option to build a new ground on a golf course was ruled out.

Last night, Hertsmere Borough Council’s planning chief revealed land at Bushey Hall Golf Club is not being taken forward in its local plan.

The club is remaining tight-lipped on its stadium plans but the council’s decision not to take Bushey Hall forward in its local plan almost certainly ends speculation that Bushey could become Watford’s new home.

This will come as a blow to the golf club’s owners, Veladail Leisure, who had eyed redeveloping the greenbelt site into a football stadium and leisure complex.

Watford Observer: A masterplan development of the Bushey Hall site including a stadium, indoor arena, conference facility, cinema, and hotelA masterplan development of the Bushey Hall site including a stadium, indoor arena, conference facility, cinema, and hotel

The Observer understands the Bushey Hall site was under consideration by Watford FC to become a new home, although the club never publicly admitted it.

But Vicarage Road sources have said the golf course "had been weighed up" and the club had "scoped out the opportunity" of a move to Bushey and held preliminary talks with the council.

Speaking at a planning meeting on Thursday night, head of planning Ross Whear said: "It (Bushey Hall) was a submission as part of a call for sites for employment sites...and the submission made in respect of that site did not meet that threshold for employment and therefore it's not being taken forward for that purpose."

See more: Stadium plan at Bushey Hall Golf Club 'thrown out'

The news has been welcomed by residents in Bushey as well as Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors in Bushey.

So where do Watford go from here?

In fairness to Watford, the club has never publicly said what its intentions are.

The potential move to Bushey Hall was leaked last year along with stadium designs and the planning documents listing Watford as the "proposed occupiers" of a 33,000-seater stadium in Bushey were put together by Veladail and its agents – although the club were said to "endorse" the Bushey Hall proposals.

Watford Observer: This leaked CGI is believed to show what a Watford stadium at Bushey Hall could have looked likeThis leaked CGI is believed to show what a Watford stadium at Bushey Hall could have looked like

Relegation from the Premier League likely put any stadium proposals on ice but an immediate return to the top flight could accelerate plans again.

Bushey Hall is not believed to be the only site considered by Watford as an alternative home away from Vicarage Road but the Observer's latest understanding is staying at Vicarage Road has always been the club’s "preferred option" – with Bushey Hall seemingly off the table, it could be the only option.

How easy it will be to expand the current 22,000-seater or so stadium remains to be seen, particularly with the level of development going on behind Vicarage Road.

Watford Observer: Vicarage Road stadium. Credit: Action ImagesVicarage Road stadium. Credit: Action Images

There’s perhaps a feeling of resentment from the club that Watford Borough Council hasn’t made it easy to redevelop Vicarage Road, but we do know the council is said to be "working constructively" with Watford FC to try and keep the club's stadium in the town.

Council managing director Donna Nolan said in April: "We are actively working with the club including on how the plans for the redevelopment of Watford General Hospital may open up more opportunities for them to deliver their ambitions and remain in the town."

Watford Observer: This shows the Riverwell development alongside a rebuilt hospital with a new multi-storey car park. The hospital design has changed since this CGI was createdThis shows the Riverwell development alongside a rebuilt hospital with a new multi-storey car park. The hospital design has changed since this CGI was created

The feasibility of expanding the current site is something the club has considered as well.

Back in 2018 chief executive and chairman Scott Duxbury said he had "engaged a company to conduct a survey to see how we can expand the stadium but still keep the aesthetic look we have now.

"We are looking at two scenarios, one taking us to 25,000 and one taking us to 30,000. I would like to take us to 30,000, because it puts us in that tier of clubs just outside the top six."

At a fans forum in October, Duxbury said he was still happy with the current site, but a move away would be considered if it made sense.

He said: "I've always been happy with Vicarage Road, I think it's a great stadium and we'll continue to develop it.

"If commercially it made sense to move stadium, and it's not just an ego move, because the infrastructure was better, access for supporters was better, we would explore it."