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31st July 2007...

Submission of the formal application for Outline Planning Permission to Watford Borough Council

Health campus plan is 'one of Watford's biggest ever planning applications'.

One of Watford's largest ever, planning applications is being submitted to Watford Borough Council today (31 July). The application for the Watford Health Campus is for the regeneration of a 26.5 hectare site providing a new state-of-the art major acute hospital, a redeveloped football stadium, hundreds of new homes, new space for businesses and improved access for the site.

Submitted by the Watford Health Campus Stakeholders, the scheme if approved would deliver:

A new 510 bed "Major Acute" hospital to serve West Hertfordshire
A revitalised and redeveloped stadium for Watford FC
Affordable housing for NHS staff and other key workers
300 new private homes
New small business and 'incubator units' to enhance opportunities for, and encourage new local businesses to grow
New employment and enterprise opportunities
A hotel and conferencing facility
New GP and other primary care health clinic facilities.

The planning application has been submitted after nearly 2 years of detailed investigations, design work and community engagement. An extensive 6-week long pre-application consultation programme was held in May and June across West Herts which revealed overwhelming support for the project.

Commenting on the planning application, David Law, Chief Executive of the West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust said: 'The Campus is one of the most exciting and dynamic projects proposed by the NHS. When completed the new hospital will help transform for the better the way health care is delivered in West Hertfordshire.'

Dorothy Thornhill, Mayor of Watford said; 'The application will be thoroughly scrutinized by our officers and by members of our planning committee. However, if approved, the Campus will provide a fantastic boost to our town.'

Watford MP Claire Ward said, "I am delighted that the plans are finally being submitted - the first step on this long but vital journey to creating first class health services for my constituents. I am looking forward to the next stage when we can start to dig the foundations." The Health Campus is being promoted by nine stakeholders: East of England Development Agency, East of England Strategic Health Authority, Hertfordshire County Council, Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Trust, Hertfordshire Prosperity, Watford Borough Council, Watford Football Club, West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, and West Hertfordshire Primary Care Trust.