Questions on Framework

Strong sense of characters and good mix of uses, although there are some gaps and opportunities for improvement, such as more independent shops and provision of workspace in the Town Centre.

The draft Framework identifies seven key issues, together with current policies and comments from the engagement exercise carried out between November 2021 and May 2022. The issues are:

• Vulnerability to change
• Building form and character
• Movement
• Public spaces
• Social
• Economy

Potential sites for future development include Sainsbury’s, Exchange R d and Pyramid. There are opportunities for refurbishment of locally listed buildings and the Atria Centre.

There are also opportunities for improvements to public space through active travel, enhanced connections to green spaces, and recharacterisation of main roads and back streets.

The draft Framework proposes key messages and guiding principles, including:

• Encourage a balanced retail offer
• Provide space for start-ups
• Integrate the different character areas
• Enable multigenerational living
• Invest in the public realm
• Make the Town Centre accessible to all

The draft Framework identifies opportunities to apply principles of high quality architecture and diversity of uses to key sites, such as Albert Rd north and south, Wellstones, and the Pyramid.

The draft Framework sets out a proposed land use strategy, including:

• Focussing retail, leisure and culture in the core Town Centre (see Character Areas) and encouraging independent businesses
• Maintaining Clarendon Rd as a prominent business district
• Introducing new workspace into the Town Centre
• Encouraging residential uses in core and periphery of the Town Centre

The draft Framework identifies seven distinct character areas:

• Town Hall Quarter: civic and cultural focus 
• High Street North: events space 
• High Street Central: relationship to the market
• High Street South: intimate high street 
• Market Street: focus on public space
• Queens Road: a core component of the town centre Clarendon Road: key connection to the station

The nodes connecting the character areas offer opportunities for improvements to the public realm.

The draft Framework proposes an overall approach to improving the Town centre, including:

• gateways to create arrival points
• greening the flyover
• redefining back streets and laneways
• using sustainable urban drainage systems to green the Town Centre
• reimagining the Market as a public space
• recharacterise St Mary’s churchyard to create attractive space to dwell

The draft Framework identifies opportunities for shorter and longer term improvements to active travel and the transport network, including:

Short term:

• Opportunities for crossings and active travel routes
• Using public realm nodes as arrival points
• Proposals for improving pedestrian safety

Longer term:

Reflecting the ambitions of Transforming Travel in Watford, reinterpret the street hierarchy to give more priority to public transport, cyclists and pedestrians.

Redevelopment of this area will create new homes, as well as civic, employment and public space.

There are opportunities to improve the connections between the High St and key attractions such as the Colosseum and Cassiobury Park, as well as renovate heritage assets.

This pedestrianised area has a mix of retail, leisure and some night-time activity, with historic buildings and a well-used public space.

There are opportunities for redevelopment of key sites, to improve active travel movement and enhance the public space.

There is a strong retail and food and beverage offer, complemented by the Market. The High St is shared by vehicles south of Clarendon Rd.

There are opportunities for redevelopment of key sites, to improve the connection between the High St and Beechen Grove and green the flyover.

This area has a mix of smaller retail and food and beverage outlets, with a number of historic buildings. Vehicles are more dominant. St Mary’s Churchyard is an important green space.

There are opportunities for improvements to St Mary’s Churchyard, additional seating in the High St and to improve the active travel crossing between the High St and Watford High St station.

Market St is a local high street within the Town Centre: it has mix of historic buildings with a retail ground floor and homes above. The narrow street is car-dominated.

There are opportunities to re-imagine Market St as a public space, and to create a public realm landmark node at the junction of Market St and the High Street.

Queen’s Rd is separated from the High St by an underpass and the large façade of the Atria Centre. Vehicles and parking dominate the narrow one-way street.

There are opportunities to enhance the buildings at the junction of Queen’s Rd and Beechen Grove to create a more positive gateway, and to improve active travel connections.

This is Watford’s premier office location and a key connection to Watford Junction station. The buildings are 4-6 storeys.

There are opportunities to introduce different uses. It would benefit from having a clear brand and identity and making the route to the station clearer.