Kytes Drive: HCC highways and flooding object to new designs

Care home provider Anchor submitted proposals to demolish the estate’s 56 existing bungalows and build 63 houses, as well as a 71-home retirement apartment building, to Watford Borough Council in November.

Progress stalled as Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) Highways recommended refusal over access concerns, while the lead local flood authority objected due to the lack of an acceptable drainage strategy and flood risk assessment.

• New set of Kytes Drive redevelopment plans submitted
• Talks set for Kytes Drive development to prioritise vulnerable
• Plans submitted to demolish war veteran bungalows for 146 homes

At the end of June, the applicant came back with a whole new set of designs with tweaks to make them acceptable from a flooding and transport point of view.

Unfortunately for Anchor, updated consultee responses are now in and, while Herts Fire and Rescue was happy that access would be ok for its vehicles, highways officers recommended refusal again and the flood authority maintained its objection.

HCC Highways noted that additional documentation had addressed some of its previous concerns but said issues over sub-standard footways and carriageway were still outstanding.

Existing bungalows at Kytes Drive, Watford. (Image: PRP / Watford Borough Council)

It also requested a parking capacity study be carried out and sought more information on crossing points, biodiversity, and cycle parking.

Council flooding experts said they would review their objection if the received clarification over planned use of permeable paving, whether excess water is directed to the right areas, and if the 'climate change allowance' was increased by five per cent in-line with guidance.

The original (right) and updated (left) masterplans for the scheme. (Image: Anchor Homes, Portus + Whitton/ Watford Borough Council planning portal)

As well as the new builds, Grade II Listed Kytes House would be used for 10 homes and 14 of the site's existing buildings would remain following the development.

The homes earmarked to make way for the development were built for war veterans after World War Two, and now house many residents who are elderly or have disabilities. Residents raised concerns over vulnerable people being forced to temporarily move as well as fears the new homes would be unsuitable.

Kytes Drive proposal CGI. (Image: PRP / Watford Borough Council)

However, Anchor Homes has said it is seeking to make sure the lettings will prioritise the most vulnerable and that the proposal is driven by a need to create “more and better” social housing for the community.

It says the existing buildings are “structurally and thermally deficient” while proposed replacements would mean better quality, more energy efficient, and stay fit-for-purpose for future residents.