Plans to build a 131-room Travelodge near Watford General Hospital have been signed off by Watford Borough Council’s development management committee.
At its meeting on Tuesday 1 April, the committee voted unanimously to grant planning permission for the five-story hotel, which is part of the wider Riverwell development.
The plans, on Shrodells Road next to the multistorey car park, also include a public square and two commercial units.
The public square would include trees, seating, play equipment, cycle racks, a space for Beryl bikes, and bins.
Tim Shaw, speaking on behalf of applicant Watford Health Campus Partnership, said the proposal is “an important piece of the jigsaw for Riverwell”.
He continued: “Travelodge [are] delighted to be opening what will be their second hotel in Watford, bringing the very latest specification of rooms, with a bar and restaurant on the first floor, as part of this exciting scheme.
“It’s a limited service hotel, their customers will spend more time therefore – and money – in the local economy than a fully-serviced hotel, which should be great news for local businesses.
“The hotel is perfectly located for football fans, with demand also expected from customers visiting the hospital or local area.
“We’ve got two retail units on the ground floor, with well-recognised national retailers lined up, that will provide convenient shopping and coffee/sandwiches to the local community.”
Council officers said hotel users would be able to park in the nearby multistorey car park. Their report for councillors said: “This car park has sufficient capacity to absorb the additional use, even when the existing surface level car park area associated with the hospital is closed when the hospital site is redeveloped.”
The site is currently undeveloped, fenced off and used to service construction at The Avenues.
Travelodge has one existing hotel in Watford, on Market Street.
Covering Hertfordshire’s district and borough councils.
