01 Mar 2024
The winter winds blow through the narrow walkways and around the edifices of a deserted Jubilee Square.
The familiar security barriers still surround the Victoria Street site, but now the sound of workmen has faded, and the landmark city centre development remains empty, weeks after it was handed over by contractors Morgan Sindall.
With associated costs for SADC continuing to rise, it seems remarkable that there is no immediate urgency to fill the £64m project, especially given the district council’s precarious financial situation.
It’s now more than five years since work first began on what was then called CCOS (City Centre Opportunity Site) South, with various delays due to concerns over the design and a shortage of building materials costing the council more than £640,000 in rental income for the commercial space.
The council has sold all 93 residential properties to Watford Community Housing, which plans to make 33 available for social rent and sell 60 apartments on a shared-ownership basis with support from Homes England. So what is happening now?
Suzanne Jones, SADC strategic director for customer, business and corporate support said: “The Jubilee Square development was handed over to the council by our contractor in January, following practical completion in December.
“The focus now is on the final preparations on site to enable the sale of the residential properties to Watford Community Housing as planned. Jubilee Square is expected to see its first residents move in, in the spring.
“The development includes homes for St Albans district residents on the council’s housing register.
“We are in negotiations with several interested parties over the renting out of the business space. The fit-outs will be largely decided by the commercial tenants so it was always the plan for this to take place some time after practical completion.”
In papers for SADC’s full council meeting on Wednesday night, there was provision for a further £300,000 loss should the council not achieve the expected commercial rent for Jubilee Square, suggesting the final bill for the project could continue to rise.
