Plans to demolish one pub, bulldozers moving it another, filming for a popular BBC drama and a controversial width restriction in Watford were among the stories making our headlines five and ten years ago this week.
FIVE YEARS AGO
Black Boy housing development refused by planning committee
The Black Boy pub. Photo: Google Street View
A proposal to demolish a pub in Bushey and build new homes has been rejected.
The application was to build two three bedroom and two four bedroom terraced houses on the site of the Black Boy Pub in Windmill Street, Bushey.
At Hertsmere Borough Council’s planning meeting the planning application was unanimously rejected by the committee.
Film crew at church in Bushey
Cast of Holby City filming at St James' Church
TV crews descended upon Bushey for an upcoming scene in the medical drama Holby City.
The cast and crew could be seen filming at St James’ Church in Bushey – a location used for many different TV programmes.
Often residents can see the cast of EastEnders, Mr Selfridge and Holby City using in and around the church for an upcoming scene.
South Oxhey Initiative plans passed
South Oxhey Initiative plans passed
Plans for the major regeneration scheme in South Oxhey have been approved.
Three Rivers District Council's planning committee unanimously approved the plans for the South Oxhey Initiative, paving the way for construction to start later this year.
Work will start on the estate in October.
Five hundred and fourteen new homes and a new supermarket will be built.
TEN YEARS AGO
The end of the Happy Man
How the Happy Man looked before demolition
A burned out “eyesore” in Mill End has been demolished, after standing derelict for more than five years.
The Happy Man pub in Berry Lane will be turned into a Tesco supermarket almost a year after planning permission was granted by Three Rivers District Council.
The council was told in November that the Rickmansworth pub, which was gutted by fire in 2005, would be demolished by Christmas, but the building was still standing well into the new year.
On Friday, construction workers moved in and started taking the old pub apart.
More than 50 complaints to council about width restriction
Residents and motorists claimed highways bosses are ignoring complaints about a width restriction in Watford
Residents and motorists claim highways bosses are ignoring complaints about a width restriction in Watford that has damaged dozens of cars.
More than 50 complaints have been made to Hertfordshire Highways about the restriction, in Woodmere Avenue, since it was re-opened, on Friday, February 25.
Dozens of cars have been scratched and damaged and at least two motorists are taking legal action against the authority.
Driving instructors have also criticised the design of the narrow obstacle, which sits on the driving test route.
Church headquarters officially re-opened
Members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church headquarters, in St Albans Road, were joined by guests at the opening of the new building
A church headquarters in Watford was officially re-opened, more than two years after it was destroyed by fire.
Members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church headquarters, in St Albans Road, were joined by guests at the opening of the new building, in Stanborough Park.
Among those present at the unveiling of the £3million re-build were Watford Borough Councillor Alan Burtenshaw and World President of the Adventist Church, Pastor Ted Wilson.
The building, which was almost completely destroyed by a freak blaze in 2008, is the church headquarters for the whole of the UK and Ireland.
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