County councillors are to consider the sale of industrial units to Watford Borough Council – in a move that could pave the way for an eight-storey residential development on the edge of the town centre.

Hertfordshire County Council purchased the freehold and buildings on Lower Derby Road, Watford, more than 30 years ago – to make way for the proposed A4008 M1 Link Road.

But ultimately the road was constructed via Stephenson Way and the land was not required.

The county council still owns the land – currently occupied by a furniture manufacturer and a motor workshop.

Now Watford Borough Council – which owns adjoining land, formerly used as a skate park – wants to buy the site.

Proposals have already been drawn-up for a residential development spanning both sites – ranging between four and eight storeys and including 107 ‘units’.

On Friday (December 1) a meeting of the county council’s performance and resources cabinet panel will consider whether the land should be considered ‘surplus’ – and whether it should be sold.

Meanwhile the county council has also received interest from one of the tenants in relation to acquiring freehold.

On Wednesday, members of the cabinet panel will be asked whether the Lower Derby Road site should be declared surplus and dispose of.

They will also be asked whether they believe the county council’s deputy chief executive should then have the authority to agree the sale to Watford Borough Council, at an agreed price – or to dispose of the site on the open market.

Their recommendations will then be considered by a meeting of the council’s cabinet on Monday (December 4) – where the decision will be taken.