Following extensive community engagement phase, the part outline and part detailed applications, to build a 375,000 sq ft mixed-use development on disused land around the hospital and nearby football stadium, were submitted.
The Watford Health Campus project comprises of new hospital facilities, retail and business areas as well as residential houses and public open space.
The scheme is a long-held ambition for the town, which has been put forward after Kier acquired a detailed planning consent for the construction of a new hospital blue light link in December 2013, which will improve access from the M1 to Watford Hospital.
Work on the new link road is due to start at the end of 2014 with an expected completion in mid 2016. VolkerFitzpatrick has been nominated as a preferred contractor to deliver the new road and the associated infrastructure.
Phil Woods of Kier Project Investment, a partner in the Watford Health Campus Partnership LLP, said: “The Watford Health Campus partners are delighted to have submitted the planning application. The masterplan vision reflects concepts and ideas received from stakeholders, the public and partners since the project was conceived over ten years ago.
“The project team has worked hard to meet the ambitions for the scheme by creating a first-class vision for the area. There has been considerable support shown for the Watford Health Campus for many years as stakeholders recognise its benefits for Watford in terms of new jobs, quality homes and better access to green, recreational space.”
Subject to planning approval, work could start on the business areas of the scheme, the first zone of the 29-hectare site as early as 2015.
Photo Source: Construction Enquirer