Watford Stadium Update - golf course owners seek development

Bushey Liberal Democrats have been working hard with residents to oppose plans for Watford FC to move to Bushey - and specifically, to build their new stadium on Bushey Hall Golf Course.

In a new development, the course's owners - Veladail Leisure - have now formally put the site forward for potential inclusion in Hertsmere borough's local plan.

The owners hope that, should they succeed, the whole site would be removed from the greenbelt and made available for wholesale development. And that would include the Watford stadium, which they have specified in their submission.

Although the club themselves did not wish to comment when we contacted them recently, Veladail submission to Hertmsere's call for employment sites states that it is endorsed by Watford FC.

For the stadium to happen, the club would need to be the main driver, they would need to find the money, and they would still need to gain planning permission. No application has yet been made.

As for the course's inclusion in the Local Plan - that's far from a formality, but council officers are now legally required to assess the proposal. We will report back when there's more news on this front.

Bushey North Lib Dem borough councillor Paul Richards is redoubling his effort to oppose the stadium proposal. He has called on the club and the golf course owners to recognise that Bushey residents will never accept having a major football stadium in their midst. And he's call on council officers and leaders to ultimately reject any proposal to remove the site from the greenbelt.

Watford FC belongs in Watford. Bushey Hall Golf Course should remain a golf course.

Any queries, please contact teambushey@hertsmerelibdems.org.uk