The proposed development includes plans for up to 650 new homes within a 375,000 square feet mixed-use development, which will be used to house new hospital facilities for Watford and south-west Hertfordshire.
The Health Campus development is planned to regenerate derelict land in west Watford and deliver new employment space and 1,600 local jobs. Other plans for the development include proposals to improve open public space and reduce traffic congestion.
"Kier's masterplan fully meets the aims for the scheme in terms of creating an attractive and sustainable community in west Watford that incorporates health, employment, quality open space and new homes," said The Health Campus partnership, which is made up of Watford Borough Council, West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust and Watford Football Club.
The masterplan includes proposals to keep the hospital’s vision for new health facilities at the heart of the scheme and offers the flexibility needed to ensure this can happen, the partnership said.
Under the plans, the development would be owned by a 50:50 long-term joint venture with the public sector.
Kier Property plans to launch a public consultation with the local community shortly. "Our joint objective is to deliver realistic and achievable regeneration within a clear timescale,” said Nigel Turner of Kier Property.
"[The Health Campus] will deliver significant benefits to the town and gives a huge boost to our local economy at a time when other areas of the country are seeing reductions to public investment and services," said Dorothy Thornhill MBE, the Mayor of Watford. "There is still a lot to be done but I am delighted at the prospect of working with Kier on its exciting proposals and getting the best possible results for Watford and our residents.”
It is hoped that Kier will work with the Health Campus partnership to complete the financial and legal aspects of their agreement by December.
