THE £1billion Watford Health Campus masterplan was given the go-ahead tonight (Thursday) by Watford Borough Council's Development Control Committee.The committee voted "resolve to grant" the necessary permissions, pending completion of the negotiation of a suitable Section 106 agreement.

The Health Campus, one of Watford's largest ever planning applications, will regenerate a 26.5 hectare site in west Watford providing a new state-of-the art major acute hospital, a redeveloped football stadium, a hotel and conferencing facility, hundreds of new homes, new space for businesses and improved access for the site.

Article continues
Advertisement

Promoted by a unique partnership of nine public and private stakeholders the scheme will deliver:

- A new 'Major Acute' hospital to serve West Hertfordshire

- A revitalised and redeveloped stadium for Watford Football Club

- Around 150 affordable housing for NHS staff and other key workers

- Around 350 new private homes

- New small business and 'incubator units' to enhance opportunities for, and encourage new local businesses to grow

- New small retail units to serve the development and local area

- New employment and enterprise opportunities

- A hotel and conferencing facility

- New GP and other primary care health clinic facilities.

- Improvements in emergency and other vehicle access to the Campus

- Increased support and potential custom for the Croxley Rail Link

Mark Ashton, Chief Executive of Watford Football Club said: "The receipt of the outline planning permission is fantastic news for the town and west Hertfordshire.

"The proposals could provide the football club with potential new business opportunities that will enhance the area around the stadium, give added value to our supporters as well as furthering our own on and off pitch ambitions.

"The club's active involvement in the partnership from day one, over four years ago, I hope demonstrates that our focus is not just on football, but also on the wider needs of the community, who clearly need a modern state-of-the-art acute hospital that we should all be proud of."

Dorothy Thornhill, elected Mayor of Watford said: "This decision is a major milestone both for the Watford Health Campus project and for Watford itself.

"There has been lots of work behind the scenes by all the partners to get to this stage. The regeneration of west Watford can now move into the next stage of the delivery process and start to improve the area for local residents.

"Political support and active lobbying for the Croxley Rail Link can also now change up a gear as the development has now moved that much closer to being real.

"The Section 106 agreement negotiated by Watford and County Council officers provides for a substantial financial contribution to local bus services and public transport infrastructure as well as to improvements to local sporting facilities.

"I believe this innovative development is something the whole of Watford will be proud of."

Claire Ward, MP for Watford said: "I welcome the news that the Council's Development Control Committee has granted outline planning permission for the Campus.

"As the Campus now moves naturally into its delivery mode, we can expect to see even greater political momentum and support for associated developments such as the Croxley Rail Link, which brings so many access benefits for the people Watford, west Hertfordshire and beyond.I look forward to watching the more detailed design plans for the buildings and especially the new hospital as they evolve and eventually become real facilities."

The planning application will now go to the Government Office for the East of England for a decision on whether to refer the application to the Secretary of State.

The Health Campus is being promoted by nine stakeholders: East of England Development Agency, East of England Strategic Health Authority, Hertfordshire County Council, Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Trust, Hertfordshire Prosperity, Watford Borough Council, Watford Football Club, West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, and West Hertfordshire Primary Care Trust.