Highways recommends 363-flats by Watford Junction be refused

A planning application submitted to the borough council in December would see Apex House, in Bridle Path, demolished to make way for the co-living space – which would also have offices on the lower floors.

Developer Kosy Living proposes just seven parking spaces for the two-person flats but says that its town centre location by the train station means the walking and cycling accessibility is “excellent”.

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The scheme hit a snag last Friday (September 20), when Herts Highways officers issued their recommendation, objecting to the proposal by citing eight reasons and saying that accessibility is “far from ‘excellent’”.

One issue was that the construction access during the first phase is apparently private land owned by a third party, with Highways saying it is unclear whether the applicant has the legal right to use it for construction vehicles.

It further cited a “hazardous” lack of service bays for the likely number of delivery vehicles, limited information on proposed parking control nearby, narrow footpaths which would be partly obstructed by new cycle stands and bollards, private landscaping being proposed on public highway, and a lack of space and lockers for staff bikes.

Apex House would be demolished to make way for the development. (Image: Google Maps) Highways also sought an agreement on £2,512,442 in highways impact mitigations and for private refuse collection to be guaranteed. It highlighted that the maximum size vehicle able to visit the site would be slightly smaller than the typical Watford Borough Council bin lorry.

The developer, Kosy Living, says it had two “very positive” meetings with Highways during the process, making “numerous” changes to the scheme and mitigation strategy, and was therefore “shocked” at the response.

“This has ensured that the proposals deliver significant active travel and landscaping benefits in the surrounding area,” a spokesperson added.

CGI image showing how the tower would look, in Bridle Path. (Image: Kosy Living/CKC Properties, Watford Borough Council planning portal.) “As per a typical application process, further comments have been provided to continue these discussions, as outlined by the highway authority in its response."

Kosy Living is apparently working through the recommendations and comments, making further minor changes where needed, and be clarifying all information requested.

The spokesperson added: "We are hopeful that this will enable the highway authority to provide a positive response on the application in due course.”