Borehamwood’s former police station will be demolished and replaced with two tower blocks after plans were comfortably passed.

The green light has been given to build 96 flats at the derelict police station site in Elstree Way.

Two blocks of seven and eight storeys will be constructed, eclipsing the height of any other building in the Elstree Way Corridor.

Around 35 per cent of the new homes will be designated as affordable – and 25 per cent of those will be for social rent with 75 per cent for affordable rent.

Borehamwood Times:

How the flats could look when built

Not everyone was in favour of the proposal, which is a joint venture between the Office for the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, which owns the former police station, and Hertsmere Borough Council.

Alex Jacobs, from the Bullhead Road Action Group, spoke on behalf of residents against the scheme at a virtual planning committee meeting on Thursday.

Ms Jacobs spoke for three minutes citing concerns over the height of the proposal, describing the plans as “lacking any respect for its immediate residential surroundings”.

She also spoke about the impact the scheme would have on parking in nearby streets – a total of 23 car parking spaces will be provided on-site for the new residents of the 96 flats.

There has been talk of a controlled parking zone being introduced in the area – which the planning officer present at the meeting confirmed residents of the 96 flats would be excluded from.

Borehamwood Times:

The Bullhead Road Action Group created their own CGI of what they think the scheme will look like from their road, before the scheme was reduced in height slightly

Local Labour councillor Rebecca Challice was also given the opportunity to speak about the scheme as a community advocate.

Like the Bullhead Road Action Group, Cllr Challice cited concerns over the height of the development and the amount of parking offered.

There was plenty of debate from the committee over the outline plans, with six out of the nine councillors eligible to vote supporting the scheme.

Local Conservative ward councillor Brett Rosehill described it as a “nice development” but could not support the scheme because of how little parking is being provided.

Borehamwood Labour councillor Jeremy Newmark indicated more consultation was needed with residents, particularly in Bullhead Road, and called for the application to be deferred – he later went on to vote against the scheme.

Bushey Liberal Democrat Jerry Evans appeared torn over the scheme but eventually decided to vote against it.

Borehamwood Times:

The derelict police station in Elstree Way

Speaking before Thursday’s meeting, a spokesperson for the office for the county’s commissioner said the number of parking spaces available have been considered in terms of the “space available and the anticipated level of car ownership”.

They added the reduced number of parking spaces “reflects Hertsmere Borough Council’s strategy to enhance air quality within the area by reducing the amount of cars on the road”.