Watford councillors have agreed to sell a multi-storey town centre car park, with potential redevelopment expected.

Having assessed options after CitiPark issued a 12-month break notice pulling out of running Sutton Car Park, borough council officers recommended that it should be jettisoned.

The idea was put to cabinet members during a meeting on Monday evening (November 25), where they agreed to push forward.

Their decision is now subject to a call-in period, during which time councillors outside of the cabinet can ask for it to be reviewed, with a deadline of 5pm next Tuesday.

If it is not called in by then, or agreed after any review, officers will complete the sale.

The car park, on the corner of Estcourt Road, has been operated under a lease from Watford Borough Council but is CitiPark’s emptiest in the town.

Officers were apparently unable to find a replacement operator and did not think the council would be able to manage it in-house.

Sutton Road Car Park, seen from the ring road.Sutton Road Car Park, seen from the ring road. (Image: Google Street View) Selling the site will apparently allow for “further exploration of redevelopment to a use more beneficial to the future vitality of the town”.

Cabinet member Kennedy Rodrigues said: “The decision for the current operator to vacate highlights the low usage of the site, with the car park operating at only 30 per cent capacity on average.

“An independent analysis confirmed there is sufficient capacity in nearby car parks – including spaces for disabled users – to ensure local needs are met.

“Selling Sutton Road Car Park will strengthen the council’s financial position and support our ambitious plans for Watford, while protecting valued local services and better meet the community’s evolving needs.”

The council has apparently already received an offer above the valuation it gave the asset itself and so councillors will be voting on whether to conclude that sale.

Sutton Road Car Park is not expected to close in the short term despite Citipark’s lease ending next year.

The new owner is expected to retain the car park in operation while they assess it and come up with plans for how to use it.

Discussions about relocating current contract parking users elsewhere are ongoing.