Where 14 schools are likely to be built in and near Watford to meet housing demand

To meet Government housing targets, around 30,000 new homes are on course to be built over the next 15 years across the districts of Watford, Three Rivers, and Hertsmere.

When new homes are built, communities need new infrastructure to come with it.

One of the most important pieces of infrastructure is schools and thanks to planning documents published by Watford Borough Council and Three Rivers District Council, we have the clearest idea yet of where schools are likely to be built by or around 2037.

We'll know more about schools in Hertsmere when Hertsmere Borough Council releases its draft local plan, which is scheduled for this autumn.

14 sites in Watford and Three Rivers where a school could be built

St Albans Road, Watford

This is a site that we can be pretty certain we'll see a new school. Plans for 1,214 homes on the site of The Range and TK Maxx stores in St Albans Road in Watford was approved back in 2019.

Developer Berkeley Homes even drew up designs of what a new primary school set over four storeys could look like as part of the development, which will see several residential towers built, including one 28 floors high.

The development is required to have a primary school.

Timescale: 1-5 years

What a primary school could look like at The Range redevelopment site. Credit: Berkeley Homes

Watford Junction

As part of another huge regeneration scheme, land at Watford Junction is considered suitable for a new primary school by Watford Borough Council.

The council believes land around the town's biggest station can accommodate 1,232 homes, employment space, along with a primary school and a replacement childcare facility.

Development at Watford Junction, which is next door to The Range site, would coincide with investment that is expected to improve the station.

Timescale: 6-15 years

Tesco, Watford

One of around 60 sites the council has identified to build on to help meet housing targets is land around Tesco Extra at Waterfields Shopping Park.

The local plan states 1,338 homes could go around the Tesco site, with the site also suitable for a primary school.

Timescale: 6-15 years

Watford Riverwell

Another major scheme that has already been approved with building work well underway.

More than 1,000 homes are being built, with a retirement village, retail, hotel and a primary school also forming part of the plans.

The site borders Watford General Hospital and Vicarage Road stadium.

Timescale: 1-15 years

CGI of the Riverwell redevelopment. The design of a rebuilt hospital is different to what is shown here

Garston

The site of the former Meriden school has been proposed as a site for an educational facility by the council in the local plan.

The site in Harvest End, next to the A41 Colne Way, was previously in use as a primary school before it closed down in 2005.

Timescale: 6-15 years

Marked in red is the former Meriden school site. Credit: Google Maps

North Watford

The site of the former Bill Everett Community Centre has also been proposed as a site for an educational facility.

This was a community centre in Leggatts Way that shut in 2008.

Timescale: 6-15 years

Abbots Langley

We're moving across to Three Rivers now, starting with land that has already been allocated in a previous local plan by Three Rivers District Council as a place for a new primary school.

The land, currently in agricultural use, is off Woodside Road. Neighbouring green belt land, which borders Fraser Crescent, has been eyed up for 303 homes.

The council has listed this as an appropriate site to be redeveloped into housing and a school.

Timescale 1-10 years

Roughly circled in red is where 303 homes and primary school has been earmarked off Woodside Road. Credit: Google Maps

Kings Langley

Three Rivers District Council has refused to put forward land known as 'East of the Kings Langley Estate' - but green belt land west of the estate is at risk.

Bordering the M25, Station Road, and Toms Lane, and near to Numbers Farm, the open agricultural land has been deemed able to fit 893 homes.

Further requirements for this site would be a primary school, open space, and play space.

Timescale: 6-15 years

Roughly circled is land west of the Kings Langley Estate earmarked for redevelopment. Credit: Google Maps

Carpenders Park

There is plenty of green belt land surrounding Carpenders Park at risk - the area could see as many as two primary schools and a secondary school built.

On land at Carpenders Park Farm, off Oxhey Lane, a secondary school has been mooted, along with a primary school and 485 homes. Play space and open space would also be required.

And off Little Oxhey Lane, there are 678 homes that have been proposed. Any development here would be required to provide open and play space and the council says there may be a requirement for a primary school.

Timescale: 1-15 years

Marked in red is land at Carpenders Park Farm. Credit: Google Maps

Marked in red is land earmarked for redevelopment off Little Oxhey Lane. Credit: Google Maps

Batchworth Golf Club

The golf club off London Road near Rickmansworth is at risk of being redeveloped with the creation of 618 homes.

Housing development on this green belt would also mean the creation of a primary school and open and play space.

Timescale: 6-15 years

Batchworth Golf Club is marked. Credit: Google Maps

Maple Cross

The largest new development proposed in Three Rivers district is in Maple Cross near the M25.

Green belt land south and west of the village could accommodate 1,500 new homes.

As part of this development, the site would be required to provide primary education facilities which is proposed to be an extension to the existing Maple Cross JMI and Nursery School.

New shops, community facilities, a nursery, commercial space, a GP surgery, open space, play space and improvements to bus stops and an extended bus route through the site, are also listed as requirements, the planning documents state.

Timescale: 1-15 years

Land in Maple Cross where 1,500 homes, a school, GP and more could be built. Credit: Google Maps

Mill End

Green belt land in Mill End by the M25 could see 760 homes built.

The land, which is currently in agricultural use, would also be required to provide a primary school, open space and play space.

Timescale: 6-15 years

Marked in red is land in Mill End at risk of being redeveloped. Credit: Google Maps

Croxley Green

Green belt land off Rousebarn Lane in Croxley Green is another site the council has "refused" to put forward even though it was deemed suitable by planning officers.

However, if the council is forced to use this site to help meet housing targets, 782 homes could be built along with a primary school.

Full list of sites at risk in Watford and Three Rivers