Despite fears the developer could come back asking for more again, adding extra flats to a controversial scheme has been approved.

In 2020, Berkeley Homes was granted permission to build the 1,214-home Eight Gardens development off St Albans Road, Watford.

Tweaks to increase the total by a further 53 were approved in 2021 and then, last year, an application including another 75 was submitted.

Emerging fire safety regulations meant taller towers would likely need a second stair core. To fit the stairs in while maintaining viability, Berkeley Homes said was necessary to add six more floors to one building and two to another.

At a Watford Borough Council meeting yesterday (June 4), the development management committee voted to grant permission for these changes, with conditions.

Ben Martin, council associate director of planning, infrastructure, and economy, said the amendments “ensure the buildings in both phases have the same high safety standards.”

Watford Observer: The Eight Gardens development in February this year. The Eight Gardens development in February this year. (Image: Newsquest)

When the additional flats were proposed, some residents questioned why adding staircases automatically meant more flats, with one branding the justification “laughable”. There have been 34 objections to the application.

Councillors raised concerns at the meeting around overdevelopment and the potential for the applicant to come back and ask for more flats again.

While it was acknowledged that officers cannot rule out changes in the future, the plan had to be considered on its own merit. Benefits such as providing more good quality housing, including 42 affordable homes, and infrastructure contributions were highlighted.

Watford Observer: The first phase of the scheme is already under construction.The first phase of the scheme is already under construction. (Image: Stephen Danzig/Watford Observer Camera Club)The final proposal was already the result of lengthy negotiations with council officers.

The “spectre of an appeal” was also mentioned, in the case that plans were refused without a solid planning reason.

A viability assessment showed that due to increases in construction costs and the price of providing the stair core, the developer would apparently not be making more profits on the amended plan than as initially proposed.

Labour councillor Nigel Bell was the only vote against, having previously voted against the initial proposal. He said he was “not convinced” of the necessity of the extra storeys and remains concerned the developer could come back again.

Watford Observer: A CGI giving a bird's eye view of the development as originally proposed.A CGI giving a bird's eye view of the development as originally proposed. (Image: Berkeley Homes)

Labour colleague Asif Khan, who is not a member of the committee but spoke at the meeting, also opposed the variations. The councillor was “very disappointed” with the outcome and thinks the site has been overdeveloped.

Berkeley Homes declined to comment.