McLaren Living, the Build-to-Rent and co-living-focused developer, has acquired Watford Police Station and Magistrates Court from the Police & Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire.
It is anticipated that Hertfordshire Constabulary will be vacating the current site in December 2023, which will be followed by decommissioning works that will be completed in Q2 2024.
The 1.75-acre site, earmarked in Watford Borough Council’s adopted local plan for comprehensive mixed-use redevelopment, is located approximately 150 metres from Watford Junction Station, which benefits from fast, frequent services directly into London Euston.
McLaren Living plans to submit proposals for a new mixed-use neighbourhood, comprising approximately 300 Build-to-Rent homes and approximately 30,000ft² of commercial space.
The scheme will also deliver 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. McLaren Living intends to submit a planning application to Watford Borough Council in early 2024.
Matthew Biddle, managing director at McLaren Living, commented: “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 & crime commissioner for Hertfordshire, commented: “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.”
