New images have shown the progress made in one of Watford’s biggest and most transformative housing developments.
In 2017, planning permission was granted to build 485 homes in Ascot Road, including a “gateway” 24 storey 81 metre tall tower.
At the time, it was the tallest ever building to be given approval in the town, and despite hundreds of objections from the public, Watford Borough Council passed the scheme.
Nearly four years on and building work in the west of the town is well underway despite the plug being pulled on the Met Line Extension.
Some of the blocks seen from the Morrisons car park and Ascot Road Community Free School
The development was supposed to "capitalise" on the potential for a new Met Line station – Cassiobridge – but London mayor Sadiq Khan scrapped the extension in 2019, although Watford mayor Peter Taylor has failed to rule out an alternative transport scheme.
Fast forward to the present day and the Ascot Road land near Morrisons looks unrecognisable, particularly to those who work in Croxley and Watford business parks who have been away for nearly a year due to the pandemic.
A mixture of blocks are under construction, the tallest being the tower which is in the service road that runs up to Morrisons. The height of the tower looks to have been just over half built so far.
The development seen from a path that runs between behind Bridgewater Surgeries, off Whippendell Road. Credit: Lynda Bullock/Watford Observer Camera Club
The construction of the 24 storey tower with the Sun Clock Tower, udner threat from demolition, in the foreground. Credit: Lynda Bullock/Watford Observer Camera Club
Looking into the development from the service road that runs up to Morrisons. Credit: Lynda Bullock/Watford Observer Camera Club
Ascot Road is the largest scheme under construction in the town, bar Riverwell by Watford General Hospital, with hundreds more homes to be built in nearby Sydney Road.
Looking in from the service road, the development looks very dense, although it may seem more crammed due to amount of scaffolding.
Somewhere in there, a basement car park will be created with spaces for nearly 200 cars.
The 485 home scheme seen from Morrisons. Credit: Lynda Bullock/Watford Observer Camera Club
A view into the development from Ascot Road service road. Credit: Lynda Bullock/Watford Observer Camera Club
The Ascot Road scheme includes 170 affordable homes but with the Met Line extension falling apart, total sales upon the completion of this project will given an indication of how popular Watford is with new buyers, especially with thousands more homes on the cards.
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