Everything else proposed at Bushey Hall alongside new Watford stadium

Last week, it emerged Bushey Hall Golf Club had been put forward for development, primarily for Watford FC.

But proposals put forward by planning agents on behalf of the owners of Bushey Hall Golf Club seek an even wider development that would see the green open space transformed into a complex operating potentially up to 365 days a year.

While there is plenty of uncertainty about whether these proposals will go ahead, we've taken a closer look at what else is being planned alongside a 33,000 seater football stadium.

Indoor arena

The second biggest proposed development, behind the football stadium for Watford, is the creation of a 6,000 seater indoor arena.

Stationed by the stadium on a masterplan put together by the planning agents, the arena could host a variety of events including indoor sporting events, exhibitions, trade fairs, concerts, product launches, national conferences and other cooperative events.

The arena has been likened to the SSE Arena in Wembley and the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes - but planning agents HGH Consulting say the proposed indoor arena at Bushey Hall would be the "only venue of its kind" in the area.

Hotel and conference facility

Another notable proposal within the development is the construction of a hotel.

The planning documents claim it would be a 4* hotel, which would have conference facilities capable of hosting up to 1,000 people.

HGH says there are no 4* hotels in this part of Hertfordshire or north London with the level of conference facilities proposed.

This shows a potential redevelopment for a stadium for Watford in Bushey. Number 5 indicates the indoor arena while 6 is the hotel

Leisure facilities

The landowners are proposing this could be a site accessible everyday, providing a range of activities.

For Bushey Hall, this could include the creation of a cinema, restaurants, and a Go-Ape style activity centre, along with other recreational activities.

Care home

Phase 1 proposals, which are deemed to be quicker to build if this development goes ahead, would see a care home built with up to 100 rooms.

Plans say the care home will help meet local need and could be constructed close to the 32 new apartments currently being built on the former Bushey Hall Golf Club clubhouse.

Business facilities

In addition to the conference facility at the hotel, a business and conference centre is also proposed; again close to the 32 apartments.

HGH says the facilities would be "much needed for local businesses". A new clubhouse would also be built.

This masterplan shows phase 1 proposals which could see a care home, pitches, and business facilities created

Country Park

The golf club has always been in private ownership by Veladail Leisure Ltd with no formal public access to the site, but HGH says the proposals include a new public countryside park creating new publicly accessible space for locals.

Golf course

Bushey Hall closed as an 18-hole golf course in 2019, but the plans unveiled last week see the site retain its golfing heritage with a nine-hole course, with the reception based at the new clubhouse.

Bushey Hall Golf Club clubhouse which has been demolished and is being replaced with 32 flats

Sports pitches

A range of all-weather five and seven-a-side football pitches - ten in total - have been proposed for Bushey Hall, situated at the opposite end to the 32 flats and proposed care home.

Watford FC

Bushey Hall would become the new home of Watford FC under these proposals, with head office and the club's community trust all based on-site.

While the club remains tight-lipped on these latest proposals, the plans claim the club "endorses" the promotion of the golf course for a new stadium as part of Hertsmere Borough Council's new Local Plan.

Documents state the club has identified the Bushey Hall site as one that is in a "sustainable location maintaining good connections with Watford town centre and public transport modes".

This stadium design, drawn up by an architect firm thought to be on the Bushey Hall site, was leaked last year

See more: Detailed plans emerge to redevelop Bushey Hall Golf Club 'within next five years'