watfordfieldsresidentsassoc

Old Watford Palace Theatre Workshop

Demolition of the former Watford Palace Theatre Workshop, 18 Watford Fields Road will start the w/c 13 January 2020.

The initial work focuses on the demolition of the former scenery store building, which is no longer used by the Watford Palace Theatre and is currently standing empty. The site has been vacant since March 2019 of this year and the building is being demolished in order to avoid further maintenance and operating costs.

The parking area in front of the building is part of the site and was only meant to be used for the workshop to enable deliveries and turning for lorries. The original plans of the Pumphouse Crescent development said it must be kept car free to maintain the vista to Watford Fields and to allow emergency vehicles access.

Unfortunately it has been used as a parking free for all by many visitors and residents alike for over a year and a half since the bollards were initially vandalised in 2018.

WFRA lobbied our councillors to get this area secured, but to no avail. Its only now the building is being developed that action has been taken.

The area is now secured and is free of cars. (no fines were issued to the trapped cars)

The contractor chosen to carry out the work is GBM demolition.

The current estimated completion date is 7 February 2020.

Plans for the future use of the site are currently being developed and as soon as we become aware of such plans we will let you know and give you the planning application details. It is expected to be given over for residential use.

We would support it’s redevelopment for residential purposes provided the scheme was sympathetic to nearby developments in terms of scale and design and in particular enhances the views from Watford Fields.

watfordfieldsresidentsassoc

WFRA AGM on Tuesday 12th November

In addition to our guest speaker, Simon Harris from Veolia, we are delighted to announce that Rebecca Palmer from New Hope, Watford’s homelessness charity, will also be joining us.

Particularly at this time of year the work that the New Hope charity carries out is vital and life transforming to many.  We will be holding a raffle at the AGM to help raise funds in support of the New Hope charity.

More information about the AGM can be found here:  AGM Flyer for 12 Nov 2019 single

watfordfieldsresidentsassoc

Objections to Development of Garages behind 2-24 Elfrida Road

A call out to Watford Fields Residents!

The Watford Local Plan Consultation includes a draft proposal for the development of the garages behind 2-24 Elfrida Road.

The garage site above has been listed as a possible location for new housing. Residents can comment on the plan by opening the link below and registering.

https://watford.oc2.uk

  1. Click on the link to First Draft Watford Local Plan 2020-2036
  2. Scroll to Chapter 4 and then to H28, the Elfrida Road site.
  3. Comment by clicking on the pen icon.

There are other proposed sites affecting our area to view too.

This is a reminder that the first draft Local Plan consultation, ends on Friday 8th November, so if you have objections to the plan then the deadline for registering your objections is fast approaching.

WFRA will be opposing any plans to develop this land for housing on the grounds of:

  • the extra traffic it will generate
  • additional parking pressure
  • loss of amenity to residents directly adjacent to the site
  • loss  of amenity to users of the garages – i.e., local residents

We urge concerned residents to add their objections to the proposals too.