Tweaks to an approved plan for a 24-storey tower have been “reluctantly” given the go-ahead.

The decision was made at a meeting of Watford Borough Council’s Development Management Committee yesterday evening (March 5) after the bulk of the proposal had already been allowed via appeal.

In 2022, the planning committee turned down a proposal for 247 rented homes along with 4,800sq m of office space in buildings of five, seven, 17, and 24 storeys at the former TJX site in Clarendon Road.

It was a build-to-rent scheme and also included 79 parking spaces, cycle parking, landscaping, and amenity.

However, after the decision was made, it was the subject of a successful appeal, which meant permission was granted in September 2023.

Watford Observer: CGI of the proposal, as seen from St Johns Road.CGI of the proposal, as seen from St Johns Road. (Image: Vedose Ltd)

The applicant then asked for permission to vary its designs in order to amend its fire safety details and introduce a second stair core. Emerging safety regulations mean new buildings taller than 18 metres will need to have a second staircase.

To accommodate this, there will be 15 fewer two-bedroom apartments and 15 more one-bedrooms.

Despite having reservations about the plan as a whole, committee chair Cllr Peter Jeffree said he found it “very hard” to find any grounds to refuse the application for variations.

 He “reluctantly” put planning officers’ recommendation to approve permission to a vote and, as councillors voted it through unanimously, he said he saw “lots of reluctant hands” in the room.

Watford Observer: CGI of the tower including the 24 storey element.CGI of the tower including the 24 storey element. Making their recommendation ahead of the meeting, planning officers said: “The variation of approved plans is acceptable representing a minor amendment to the consented proposal.

“All other conditions remain unchanged except for the time limit which is adjusted to align with the consented application.”

It was heard as a committee item because it was classed as a variation to a “major application”.

The September 2022 decision to refuse permission had also been unanimous after the council’s planning officer had recommended the committee refuse the scheme, highlighting concerns about the design of the building, the size of some of the homes, and the lack of social housing.