UK: McLaren Living has bought the Watford police station and magistrates court from the Police & Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire.
It will deliver a new mixed-use development with approximately 300 Build to Rent homes, approximately 30,000 square feet of commercial space, and publicly accessible open space and landscaping, including the retention of the existing trees along Clarendon Road.
McLaren Living will undertake a comprehensive programme of stakeholder and community engagement and maintain a collaborative approach throughout the design and planning process. The company intends to submit a planning application to Watford Borough Council in early 2024.
It is anticipated that Hertfordshire Constabulary will be vacating the site on Clarendon Road in December 2023 and relocating to new premises, followed by decommissioning works which will be completed in Q2 2024.
The 1.75 acre site is 150 metres from Watford Junction Station, which benefits from fast, frequent services directly into London Euston. The site is also earmarked in Watford Borough Council’s adopted local plan for comprehensive mixed-use redevelopment.
“We’re really excited to have acquired such a great site, in the commercial heart of Watford, close to local amenities and with excellent connections to London. We’re looking forward to working with Watford Borough Council and the local community on our plans for Clarendon Road, to deliver a mixed-use neighbourhood, bringing forward much needed new homes for rent, along with high-quality commercial space,” said Matthew Biddle, managing director of McLaren Living.
Lambert Smith Hampton and Walter Cooper acted for the Police & Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire on the transaction.
