Watford’s Mayor has warned that new government development proposals could have a “detrimental effect” on the town.

The proposals, announced in December, look to extend permitted development rights (PDR), which currently allow for small scale commercial and some industrial buildings to be converted into housing without the need for planning permission.

Under the new plans, a wider range of properties including retail, restaurants, gyms, banks and creches can be converted into residential dwellings and local authorities will have little say in the plans, Watford Borough Council said.

It added that there will no longer be a size limitation on the properties that can benefit from the new rights.

Mayor Peter Taylor said the proposals “undermine the ability of local people to decide what is best for Watford” and is seeking the backing of Watford MP Dean Russell to push back against them.

Mr Russell said the reforms to permitted development “are a way of delivering much needed housing, including affordable housing, whilst also avoiding building on precious greenfield sites and reducing the need for new developments”.

Watford Observer: Dean Russell (left) and Peter Taylor (right)Dean Russell (left) and Peter Taylor (right)

Currently key employment hubs in the town like Clarendon Road are protected from PDR under a planning directive (article 4 direction).

If the proposals are successful these protection orders could become redundant and the council would have to apply for new protection orders, the council said.

It also said there is a “significant risk” that this proposed extension to PDR’s could see the unplanned introduction of residential uses into the town centre particularly into key ground floor retail spaces on the High Street and Watford shopping centre.

Currently Watford’s draft Local Plan supports the introduction of more residential accommodation into the town centre, but away from or above the main High Street frontage and other key shopping frontages.

The new proposals, if successful, could result in a reduction of available retail space in the best locations and a more fragmented High Street where residential and other town centre uses are inter-dispersed, the council said.

Mr Taylor said: “It is no surprise to anyone that we need new homes in Watford, but delivery should not be at the expense of employment space which drives the economy of our town and not if it damages our High Street and town centre. 

“These proposals undermine the ability of local people to decide what is best for Watford. I am meeting with our local MP to seek his support to push back against these proposals which would have a detrimental effect on our town.”

Mr Russell said: “I do not want Watford to be overdeveloped or turned into commuter belt for London with more new high-rise buildings being given the green light by the council.

“The reforms to permitted development are a way of delivering much needed housing, including affordable housing, whilst also avoiding building on precious greenfield sites and reducing the need for new developments.

“It will provide a better mix of uses to reflect changing retail and business models whilst also protecting important cultural venues. There are already mixed retail and residential premises in places such as the Hight St and St Albans Road.”

The proposals are being consulted upon until January, 28 2020 and Watford’s council is currently compiling its response.