Redevelopment of Watford Police Station and Magistrates Court set to deliver 314 build-to-rent homes, office workspace, retail space and a new public square.

Watford Borough Council has resolved to grant planning to McLaren Living, the residential developer with a focus on Build-to-Rent and Co-Living, for the redevelopment of the former Watford Police Station and Magistrates Court on Clarendon Road, into a new mixed-use urban quarter for Watford.

In the heart of Watford, McLaren Living’s approved plans will regenerate this underutilised town centre location to create a vibrant, mixed-use community. Clarendon Road is located close to excellent local amenities and within 100 metres of Watford Junction Station, which benefits from fast, frequent services directly into London Euston.

The 1.75 acre brownfield site, which forms part of the Watford Gateway Strategic Development Area in Watford Borough Council’s adopted Local Plan, will deliver 314 market and affordable build-to-rent homes (including 10% affordable, all of which will be family apartments with dual aspect and with private external amenity).

The proposals feature a new public Garden Square and children’s play space, along with flexible high-quality office space in a standalone building, retail space and a café, along with public realm and landscaping, including retaining the existing mature trees along Clarendon Road. There will be on site car parking available, including disabled parking, plus over 400 cycle spaces.

The development will deliver sustainability benefits that exceed those set out in Watford’s Sustainability Strategy; embodied carbon will be reduced by re-purposing some of the existing structures on the site. A range of sustainability and energy efficient measures will result in a carbon reduction of 72.5%.

The plans for Clarendon Road will also bring significant employment opportunities to the area throughout the construction and operational phases, along with associated socio-economic benefits to the local community. In addition, £3.5m will be provided in Community Infrastructure Levy for Strategic Infrastructure delivery, along with Section 106 contributions.

Patrick Joyce, Development Director at McLaren Living, commented: “We very much look forward to delivering on our plans for Clarendon Road and bringing forward a new mixed-use urban quarter for Watford. It is an exciting opportunity to revitalise this part of Clarendon Road and to deliver much needed homes, workspace, a new garden square and public realm on an underutilised town centre site.

We will continue to work with Watford Borough Council, the local community and stakeholders as we bring our proposals forward.

In partnership with the landowner, Hertfordshire Police Constabulary, McLaren Living undertook extensive consultation and a comprehensive programme of stakeholder and community engagement ahead of submitting it’s plans and a collaborative approach throughout the design and planning process.

Hertfordshire Constabulary vacated the site in April 2024, having relocated to their new premises on George Street in Watford.