Planning approval means a development with room for 36 residents will be built at a former garage site.

The empty plot in Balmoral Road, by the train tracks, will have six four-bedroom homes built on it under the decision issued by Watford Borough Council yesterday (November 28).

It was formerly occupied by 19 garages, two accessed from Bradshaw Road and 17 accessed from Balmoral Road, but these were demolished in 2017.

The site in 2017.The site in 2017. (Image: Google Street View) A plan to build nine two-bedroom flats there was granted approval that year but the work did not go ahead. Instead, a separate proposal for 12 flats was submitted in 2019 but this was ultimately withdrawn.

Since then, the land has been out-of-use and covered up by hoarding - with no concrete plans for its future following the expiry of the initial permission in 2020.

The site in 2021.The site in 2021. (Image: Google Street View) The latest plans, submitted by the developer in September, mean that the three-storey row of houses should be delivered within five years.

Each property is designed with a small front and larger rear-garden. One existing parking space would be retained while the rest of the proposal is “effectively car free”.

Explaining their recommendation for planning approval, council officers said: “The proposal is considered an appropriate and acceptable development of this suburban site for family housing and is welcomed.

How the proposed homes would look.How the proposed homes would look. (Image: Watford Borough Council planning portal/Stephen Taylor Architects) “It would enhance the character and appearance of the surrounding area and is acceptable in terms of its layout, scale and design.”