The £260m Watford Health Campus project has moved a step closer after a hybrid planning application was submitted for the major regeneration scheme.

The part outline and part detailed applications, comprising 375,000 sq ft of hospital redevelopment space, retail and business areas, housing and public open space, were submitted following extensive community engagement with the local community earlier in the year.

Phil Woods of Kier Project Investment, a partner in the Watford Health Campus Partnership LLP, said: "The Watford Health Campus partners are delighted to have submitted the planning application. The masterplan vision reflects concepts and ideas received from stakeholders, the public and partners since the project was conceived over ten years ago.

"The project team has worked hard to meet the ambitions for the scheme by creating a first-class vision for the area. There has been considerable support shown for the Watford Health Campus for many years as stakeholders recognise its benefits for Watford in terms of new jobs, quality homes and better access to green, recreational space."

The project secured a detailed planning consent in December 2013 for the construction of a new hospital blue light link, which sits at the heart of the scheme and will improve access from the M1 to Watford Hospital. Work on the new link road is due to start towards the end of this year, taking around 18 months to complete.

If the plans are approved work could start on the first zone of the 29 hectare site earmarked for development as early as next year.