Storage warehouses the size of a football stadium look set to be built on the edge of Watford and Bushey.
The site, partly green space and partly an existing smaller storage area, is between the A41 and M1 - to the south of Costco.
Outline plans for large warehouses covering 45,000-square-metres were submitted to Hertsmere Borough Council in July last year and formally approved yesterday (August 22).
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Timetables attached to the plans indicate that construction could begin in 2025, and it could be in use from the first quarter of 2026.
The project is expected to create 328 jobs during construction and 558 once warehouse/commercial floorspace becomes operational.
It is described as a “phased development” which could be brought forward in several sections and/or plots.
The developer said that the project will help meet a “significant shortfall” in the amount of logistics floorspace in the area and make efficient use of previously developed land with good access to London, Watford, and further afield. Limited options with easy access to the M25 for potential occupiers and soaring commercial space rents around London were also highlighted.
It added: “The proposal will bring substantial and much-needed investment into the borough, deliver significant job creation, provide training opportunities and supply a very welcome boost to economic output.”
As an outline application, with the details of the appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale reserved, a full planning application will still need to be submitted and approved before work can go ahead.
However, it does mean the access arrangements have been signed off which is often a sticking point for large projects. The main access point would come from the A41, while a separate access point over the M1 would be available for car parking use only.
The agreement also includes tens of thousands of pounds in contributions from the developer towards transport in the area, including £787,332 towards bus services.
Five potential design options were hinted at in planning documents, with different numbers of separate warehouses covering roughly the same area.
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