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.
