Several shops in the middle of Watford High Street could be knocked down and replaced under new designs for eight-storey flats.

APG Portfolio Management Limited previously submitted plans to redevelop the buildings between the former Choice unit and Primark and build 100 flats along with 874 square metres of retail floorspace.

The plan, originally submitted in 2019, appeared to have fizzled out without a decision until a new set of documents were added to the application’s entry on the planning portal this month.

Aerial view of the application site.Aerial view of the application site. (Image: hgh/APG Portfolio Management Limited/Watford Borough Council planning portal.) These seek permission for a reduced scheme with 59 homes and slightly more retail space over eight storeys instead of 13, after “extensive pre-application discussions with Watford Borough Council and Historic England”.

APG's planning statement references a successful appeal, which in May overturned the council’s decision to repeatedly block a scheme for eight-storey flats at the nearby Wellstones Car Park.

No parking would be provided as the development is “car free”. The current car park at the back is described as a “focus for antisocial activity” in planning documents.

Proposed Front Elevation Facing the High Street. (Image: hgh/APG Portfolio Management Limited/Watford Borough Council planning portal.) Existing businesses on the site include Enigma Rooms Watford, Supercuts, Merkur Slots, and the former Ready Burger space, as well as offices.

Enigma Rooms Watford franchisee Benn Warren says he doubts the plan will succeed, “and it shouldn’t”. He said that the high street is a popular destination for shoppers and would be damaged by building flats.

Benn and Nikki Warren, who run Enigma Rooms Watford on the site.Benn and Nikki Warren, who run Enigma Rooms Watford on the site. (Image: Benn Warren) “I think it's madness,” Mr Warren added. “It clearly wouldn’t be a great quality of life if someone can’t even have a car.”

Merkur Slots has already submitted plans to move into the vacant Choice unit next door on the expiry of its lease.

APG says its scheme makes "excellent" use of a brownfield site, helps the area meet housing targets and demand, and would improve the appearance of the area. It adds that the location is "highly sustainable", including in terms of access to public transport.

The five proposed replacement retail units, facing out onto the high street, would be part of a four-storey building with 12 designated affordable flats above them, while a larger block at the back would be eight storeys, with 47 flats for the private market.

Proposed communal space to go between the blocks.Proposed communal space to go between the blocks. (Image: hgh/APG Portfolio Management Limited/Watford Borough Council planning portal.) Proposed homes range from one to three-bedrooms, with the majority being one-bedroom.

The application is currently pending consideration.

Hertfordshire County Council Highways recommended that the initial proposal be refused when consulted in 2019. So far only Thames Water and Affinity water have submitted responses to the revised scheme as consultees, raising no objection.