Residents have been invited to view controversial redevelopment plans for Kytes Drive in Watford at a public event tomorrow.

Developer Anchor proposes to create 151 new modern homes, demolishing the current outdated properties which house disabled people.

The 56 bungalows will be replaced with seven bungalows, 37 cottages, a trio of three-storey apartment blocks containing 84 one or two-bedroom flats, as well as 23 houses if the application goes ahead. 

Plans will be on display at All Saints Church Leavesden Parish Hall from 10.30am to 3pm on Saturday.

Residents have not agreed with the change, as the estate was originally built in 1948 to support less able war veterans.

One resident, Bob Sparkes said: “I am so angry about this. My wife is blind, and, in a wheelchair, this space is her safety net and to move her away from what she knows would be terrible.

“There are many disabled people who live here and need a safe home. This development is a huge threat to them.”

Members of the Anchor team available for residents to talk to and share concerns with.

The 71-year-old recently launched a petition to protect the existing homes, and it has reached more than 1,500 signatures.

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Bob is also concerned about protecting the wildlife in the area.

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He added: “It is a wonderful wildlife haven. We have all sorts of creatures around the area, including three breeds of woodpeckers, which is a rare site in the UK. We also have badgers, kites and many different birds.

“These will all be gone if the development goes ahead as they will not have the habitat they need to survive.”

Emma Martin, operations manager at Kytes Drive, previously told the Watford Observer: “As a not-for-profit organisation, we routinely review all our locations and services to ensure we continue to meet the needs of both current and future residents. The proposal to regenerate the Kytes Drive estate was made after carrying out a full and detailed assessment of the options available and the regeneration will provide 150 homes which are fit for purpose and will create more and better affordable housing for the local community.  

“Our proposals are driven by the need to keep as many residents as possible in their existing homes until new homes are built; this will be achieved through a carefully phased construction programme. All of the people currently living at Kytes Drive will have the right to a modern, sustainable and fit-for-purpose home once the new development is complete."

The site has been visited by Dean Russell, MP for Watford and Watford mayor Peter Taylor, who both met with residents and discussed the future of the site.

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Mr Russell said: “I recently met with a group of residents who had reached out to me. We covered a range of topics and issues relating to the proposals which Anchor was present for. They agreed to give reassurances in writing which I can hold them to account on.

 “One area which was of particular concern to residents and me was a lack of a covenant on the site for veterans, people with disabilities and older residents. I will be following this up directly with Anchor in writing as I feel this would provide important assurances that the development will retain its original community purpose.”

Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “I met with the residents recently and it was good to talk with them about their concerns. It was clear to me that this is a close community that cares a great deal for their area.”