Next phase of £500m Watford Riverwell regen given green light

Watford Borough Council and Kier Property have secured the go-ahead for the next phase of the £500m Watford Riverwell project. The proposals feature a 131-bedroom hotel, new public realm and retail space, which will compliment earlier phases approved on the site, including the new 1.5km Thomas Sawyer Way, a 1,455 space multi-storey car park, 567 homes, a Trade City commercial development, and an 80,000 sq ft Safestore storage facility. Leigh Thomas, group managing director at Kier Property, said: “This phase will provide public amenity for residents, visitors and the wider community, supporting local economic growth while enhancing the area’s appeal.” Ben Martin, director of regeneration and growth at Watford Borough Council, added: “The new public realm and hotel is an opportunity to bring even more life and energy to the area, supporting the hospital and creating new employment, new spaces for people to meet, relax and enjoy.”