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

HE7.1: Enhancement and Protection of the Historic Environment

Development proposals should embrace opportunities to use the historic environment to support good design and enhance the setting and understanding of the historic environment and improve Watford’s historic character.

All development proposals involving heritage assets (designated and undesignated) should avoid causing harm to the significance of those assets, including their setting. Where this cannot be avoided, measures to minimise or mitigate the harm caused will be considered and balanced against the heritage and public benefits arising from the development according to the importance of the asset and the extent of the impact to its significance.

Where loss, wholly or partly, is unavoidable, developers are required to record and enhance the understanding of the significance of any heritage asset and to make this record publicly available.

Proposals will need to consider the potential adverse impacts on a heritage asset or its setting associated with cumulative development. Where there are potential cumulative effects, applicants should include design measures to mitigate this impact.

All development proposals involving heritage assets (designated and undesignated) or affecting the setting of assets should be supported by a Heritage Impact Assessment, proportional to the scheme proposed and significance of the heritage asset, prepared by a suitable qualified person.

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