Social housing to be built in Watford

Watford Borough Council has given the green light for new social housing to be built in Sydney Road, West Watford.

The new development, occupying a disused industrial area, will deliver 79 new apartments that will be available for social rent, affordable rent and shared ownership.

The majority of the social housing will be three and four-bedroom family homes.

Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said: ‘This scheme will help Watford meet its aspiration of increasing the supply of social housing.

‘We are committed to delivering social housing to give local people permanent homes that they can afford. At a time when very little social housing is being built elsewhere, we are pleased that this partnership puts us in a position to provide homes for local families.’

Of the 79 affordable units, 21 will be social housing homes, 19 affordable rental units, and 39 shared ownership units.

The council adds that the development will ‘regenerate an unattractive piece of land’ and create a ‘considerable visual and environmental improvement for the area and its surroundings.’

They also believe the change from industrial to residential use will remove potential noise and disturbance from commercial activities.

Long-standing Watford business Humphreys, which was created in 1919, is based on the site and is also set to benefit from the scheme with a move to a brand new building.

NewStart recently spoke to Peter Taylor about regeneration in the town.