Russell Lane plan reduced to 55 homes with traffic changes

In December last year, Hertfordshire County Council joined a group of residents in raising concerns over the 57-home plan between the A41 and Russell Lane, Watford.

The council highlighted issues with the developer’s assessment of traffic levels at the access from Hempstead Road and asked for more consideration of its transport links.

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Some of those living in the area also objected to the plan and a public meeting was organised by Courtlands Residents' Association over it.

Association members slammed it as “wrong on so many levels” and took issue with the loss of green space, likely traffic increase in “already congested” roads, and the proximity to the busy A41 roundabout - which could impact potential residents’ quality of life.

A statement added to the planning portal by the developer last week (February 23) confirms that it has made changes after it held a meeting with the borough and county councils over highways concerns and made an additional site visit in January.

The field that would be built on is currently home to ponies. (Image: Courtlands Residents' Association)

The document was accompanied by revised drawings now proposing 55 homes instead of 57.

The reduction comes from shrinking a row of three homes nearest the access to one detached three-bedroom house and thereby leaving a space from the edge of the site.

The reduction was apparently not related to the traffic issues.

Following more traffic surveys that were carried out, the developer has also proposed that it could make a “reasonable and proportionate” contribution to improvements at the junction of Hempstead Road and Courtlands Drive, including widening the carriageway.

The land north of Russell Lane where the homes would be built. (Image: Google Maps/Canva)

Pedestrian and cycling routes have been updated and now include moving an existing traffic island in the A411 Hempstead Road and adding a footway between the road and the development.

The statement concludes by saying that the proposal is now "acceptable" in transport and highways terms as it “addresses any impacts of the development through identifying and providing for deliverable improvements which will mitigate fully the impact of the development".

It added: “This will ensure that the residual traffic impacts will not be severe or result in unacceptable safety issues.”