The number of homes being built at Watford’s biggest redevelopment site looks likely to be increased.

Berkeley Homes wants to build an extra 53 homes on its site in St Albans Road taking the total number to 1,267.

The approved Eight Gardens development, on the former The Range site, will include 11 buildings including tower blocks of 28, 24, and 22 storeys.

The plans to add 53 homes will not change the height or scale of any of the towers, Watford Borough Council planning documents state.

Watford Observer: A CGI giving a bird's eye view of the scale of the development planned in St Albans Road. Credit: Berkeley HomesA CGI giving a bird's eye view of the scale of the development planned in St Albans Road. Credit: Berkeley Homes

Changes to housing mix are planned in four of the 11 buildings, with studio flats being introduced in place of one-bed flats.

There will also be more two-bed flats, with the number of three-beds remaining unchanged.

None of the extra 53 flats are to be designated as “affordable”.

The council says Berkrley Homes’ application is supported by an appraisal that concludes no further affordable housing is viable.

The report that will be presented to the council’s planning committee on May 17 says construction costs have risen by around 20 per cent since the original scheme was approved in December 2019.

However, in light of the extra 53 homes it wants to build, Berkeley Homes has offered to pay £543,783 towards providing affordable housing elsewhere in Watford, which is thought to be on top of the provision already offered.

There will be 107 affordable homes built at The Eight Gardens, as per the original approved scheme. This includes 63 homes for affordable rent, 23 for intermediate tenure, and 21 for social rent.

Watford Observer: A crane at Berkeley Homes' redevelopment as seen from Leavesden Road. The buildings are also set to be visible from places such as Bushey and The Grove Credit: Stephen DanzigA crane at Berkeley Homes' redevelopment as seen from Leavesden Road. The buildings are also set to be visible from places such as Bushey and The Grove Credit: Stephen Danzig

No extra car parking is proposed beyond the 200 or so spaces approved in 2019.

The council says letters were sent to 2,285 properties about this revised application and 20 responses were received.

The council is recommending councillors approve Berkeley Homes’ latest application. A full planning application has not been required - instead Berkeley is seeking permission to amend the design of four buildings.

The decision by Liberal Democrat councillors to approve this scheme in 2019 proved unpopular, with cries of “shame on you” towards the planning committee.

Watford Observer: CGI of what The Eight Gardens scheme could look like. Credit: Berkeley HomesCGI of what The Eight Gardens scheme could look like. Credit: Berkeley Homes

The Eight Gardens development is also set to include commercial units, a pub/bar, takeaway, energy centre, and outdoor square.

There are also plans for a primary school and nursery but full planning permission is still required.