Clements and Watford Market site 141-flat plan approved

The borough council's development management committee has approved a proposal for the former Clements department store site, now occupied by B&M, NRG Gym, and Global Buffet, that will see all but the front façade demolished.

After giving feedback on the detailed proposal since the pre-application stage in January last year, council officers recommended it for approval, which was voted through unanimously on Wednesday evening (July 10).

• Clements and Watford Market site plan looks set for approval
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• Company 'exploring options' to redevelop former Clements building

The site. (Image: Google Earth)

There was some concern with aspects of the proposal from councillors, particularly over the level of social and affordable housing provision, but also excitement around how it could lift the town’s attractiveness to shoppers and stallholders.

Watford Market can now be completely revamped with 35 individual units, two residential blocks of flats with 17 and seven storeys, and shop floorspace on the ground level of each block.

Dozens of shoppers queue for the Blue Cross sale at Clements in 1994. (Image: Watford Observer)

Under the approved designs, a footpath and wider public space will be opened up, allowing shoppers to walk from Watford House Lane/Beechen Grove straight through to High Street.

The proposal was amended during the process to provide every home with a private balcony and reduce the height of one block, bringing the number of homes from 152 to 141.

CGI attached to the plan. (Image: Makower Architects/Watford Borough Council planning portal)

Just six homes will be social rent units after the developer argued meeting the usual requirement of 35 per cent affordable housing would not be viable. This was backed up by an independent review by consultants on behalf of the council.

Planning officers judged that the project offers “high quality new homes, with no adverse impact on surrounding residential properties”.

Their report added: “The development offers a unique opportunity to retain the market on this site but in a new and purpose-designed space with new access and visibility from the surrounding context.”