Policy information sourced from the Watford Local Plan 2021-2038.

CDA2.2: Town Centre Strategic Development Area

Proposals in the Town Centre Strategic Development Area will be supported where good design contributes positively towards creating a vibrant town centre, focused on people, healthy lifestyles and quality of life. To achieve this, proposals will need to have regard to Supplementary Planning Documents and strategies supporting redevelopment and enhancements to the Town Centre. These are intended to guide the co-ordinated delivery of development that will contribute towards achieving the objectives for the area and provides greater detail about specific proposals in the Local Plan that may be relevant. Applicants will be required to demonstrate how proposals will make provision for, and contribute positively towards, the following criteria:

  • New development will make effective use of land to intensify Town Centre uses and increase the amount of people living in the Town Centre, intensifying footfall and adding vitality to the town throughout the day and evening;
  • New uses should make a positive addition to the vitality and functionality of the Town Centre. Residential uses should be sensitively designed and located to avoid negatively impacting on existing Town Centre uses. Leisure uses that contribute towards the vibrancy and functionality of the Town Centre will be supported;
  • Development along the High Street, Market Street and the north part of the High Street should retain and enhance active frontages on the ground floor. Uses, such as flexible workspace, where activity occurs throughout the day, will be supported in these areas;
  • Public realm should be improved to create distinct places throughout to increase dwell time. Proposals should support the delivery of green infrastructure, and in particular, tree planting, to enhance the visitor experience;
  • Proposals should contribute to clear and coordinated wayfinding across the Town Centre and permeability into surrounding areas, including the rail and bus stations, Clarendon Road office hub, the football stadium and hospital. Priority will be for pedestrians and cyclists;
  • Opportunities should be taken to reduce the vehicle dominance of the ring road. Proposals that provide active frontages onto the ring road and contribute towards transforming the environment into one that is inclusive by supporting pedestrians and cyclists alongside other transport modes will be a priority. This will help to support the use of the new Sustainable Transport Hub at the southern end of the High Street;
  • Linkages to open spaces, particularly Cassiobury Park and the proposed Colne Valley Linear Park, should be improved, contributing to the creation of a well-connected, accessible and integrated network of open spaces;
  • Heritage assets are located in key parts of the Strategic Development Area such as the High Street and the areas around St Mary’s Church and the Town Hall. They are a key component of the character of this area and proposals for new development should respond to these assets, enhancing their character and setting;
  • Future development in the Strategic Development Area will take into account the findings and recommendations of the Council’s Heritage Impact Assessment Screening Report for this area and where prepared for individual sites;
  • Specific mitigation measures will be identified through the preparation of further detailed Heritage Impact Assessments for all sites to be submitted prior to the determination of any application;
  • Proposals must demonstrate the provision of innovative waste management and recycling storage and collection systems, to reduce the need for service vehicles along the High Street;
  • A site for a new 3 form entry primary school should be located within the Strategic Development Area that is BB103 compliant, including external areas. Applicants are encouraged to identify where a new primary school can be provided.

The Town Centre Strategic Development Area is defined on the Policies Map.

For more information, please see the Watford Local Plan 2021-2038.