Plans for flats in Wellstones car park in Watford rejected

A total of 89 homes were proposed in a building of up to eight storeys in Wellstones, which would also have faced out onto Exchange Road near the junction with Market Street.

The land is currently a pay and display car park but had been eyed up as a redevelopment opportunity, with the plan being submitted on October 20, 2022, before Watford Borough Council rejected it on May 17.

The new building and how it would look from the ring road, shown by the arrow (Image: Telereal Trillium)

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The decision listed two reasons for rejection. Firstly, that the height and scale of the flats would dominate the street and compete with listed buildings including Holy Rood Church.

Secondly, it would "cause significant harm" to the living conditions of residents in neighbouring block The Clock House, through loss of light and outlook.

A mixture of flats ranging from one to three bedrooms were proposed in a building of four parts of five, six, seven and eight floors.

The proposed development site as seen from the ring road (Image: Google Street View)

Commercial units were proposed for the ground floor while the scheme was designed to be car free with just three blue badge holder spaces. Around 140 cycling spaces would have been provided.

The applicant, Telereal Trillium, had described the plan as a “unique” opportunity to bring forward “high-quality” redevelopment of a “sustainably” located site.

The proposal was found to conflict with parts of the Watford Local Plan 2021-2038, which the site forms part of.

An outlined of the proposed development site. (Image: Google Maps)

Describing how the building would dominate the street scene, the decision notice said: “This would cause less than substantial harm to the setting of the designated heritage assets which would outweigh the public benefits of the proposal.”

Previous ideas for the car park included a development of 137 flats in a building up to 12 storeys, but after council officers raised concerns about height and the impact on neighbouring buildings, the applicant settled on the smaller revised scheme.

More than 50 objection comments were made, with many concerned about town centre parking alternatives.

A spokesperson for Telereal Trillium said: “We are disappointed with the planning decision and are reviewing our options for the site.”

The planning application can be found on the council planning portal via reference 22/01226/FULM.