Residential developer McLaren Living has exchanged contracts to buy Watford Police Station and Magistrates Court from the police and crime commissioner for Hertfordshire, to turn into a mixed-use scheme.
McLaren Living plans to submit proposals for a new mixed-use neighbourhood, comprising around 300 build-to-rent homes and about 30,000 sq ft of commercial space.
Hertfordshire Constabulary is expected to vacate the site, on Clarendon Road, this month. It is set to relocate to new premises on George Street in Watford, followed by decommissioning works completing in Q2 2024.
The 1.75-acre site, earmarked in Watford Borough Council’s adopted local plan for comprehensive mixed-use redevelopment, is located about 150m from Watford Junction Station.
McLaren Living intends to submit a planning application to Watford Borough Council in early 2024.
Matthew Biddle, managing director at McLaren Living, said: “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.”
David Lloyd, the police and crime commissioner for Hertfordshire, said: “I am pleased to see this conditional sale has exchanged and, once completed, will generate additional funding for the constabulary.
“The station on that site had reached the end of its economic life and it was no longer fit for purpose for the demands of officers and staff. Watford now has a new thoroughly modern police station in the town centre at 3 George Street.”
Lambert Smith Hampton and Walter Cooper acted for the police and crime commissioner for Hertfordshire.
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