Sun Clock Tower refusal decision appealed by applicant

An appeal has been lodged with the Government's planning inspectorate after Watford Borough Council turned down an application last month to knock down the Sun Clock Tower.

A council officer refused the application due to the tower's "historical significance to the local area" adding the locally listed building is an "important local landmark", which campaigners have said is a reminder of Watford's "rich printing heritage".

Campaigners had turned their focus to restoring the privately owned tower, but following an appeal, a government inspector will now scrutinise the plans and could potentially overrule the council's decision.

See more: Historic Sun Clock Tower saved from demolition

Sun Clock Tower with the construction of a 24 storey tower in the background. Credit: Lynda Bullock/Watford Observer Camera Club

In his representations to the inspectorate, published on the council's planning portal, applicant Paul Stacey describes the now disused clock tower, built in 1934, as "hazardous" and "unfit for purpose".

He wrote: "When people say this is the only part of history left, this is not true. Odhams printing is managed and used and worth the listing because of the quality of the build. There is also the old Watford printing building standing in Vicarage Road. The old prefab concrete/disused and derelict clock tower in Ascot Road is unfit for purpose and was built from reinforced concrete and other contaminated material.

"The clock tower building is in a bad state of condition…many features have been stolen, all the clock faces are missing and stolen for scrap metal, the clock mechanism is missing, the roof is damaged, graffiti on the outside, holes in the interior walls..….the building has continually been broken into via children."

The clock is visibly missing

He added in his comments: "The building material consists of reinforced concrete which is failing and damaged. The whole building is hazardous. The water well which was its function has been capped (so the purpose of the building stopped).

"The damaged clock tower is unfit for purpose, it’s ruined and dilapidated and should have never been locally listed."

The clock tower and water pumping house was in use up until the 1980s, but the site has since fallen into disrepair.

Mr Stacey adds in his comments to the inspectorate that demolishing the tower, which is owned by a man called Stuart Taylor, would "integrate" the site with the surrounding area, which is undergoing sizeable building work, and provide a "redevelopment opportunity" for the council.

Sun Clock Tower with the Rising Sun hotel pictured in the background, formerly home of Sun Printers. Credit: Mark Crowley/Watford Observer Camera Club

Although an appeal form has been published on the council's planning portal (on March 29), an appeal does not appear to be live yet on the planning inspectorate website.

Members of the the public will have five weeks to make any comments on the appeal that has been made, once live, via the inspectorate website.

The appeal reference is APP/Y1945/W/21/3271999.