Over the next decade, more than £1.5 billion will be pumped into Watford. Cassiobury Park will be restored, Charter Place will be redeveloped and intu Watford will expand and create 1,125 jobs.

Many people don’t like change; when planning applications are submitted, a plethora of complaints flood in from readers who dislike the changing landscape of the town.

But clearly, our readers’ interests have been piqued by these developments – ‘What Watford will look like in ten years’ was this week’s most-read story.

It’s easy to bemoan change and worry about Watford's dystopian future; Watford is a town after all, and not a city, and sometimes it can feel as though developers forget this.

But if we are to keep up, and maintain a reputation as a thriving hub of culture and industry, something’s got to give.

Housing prices soared in Watford last year, and while this might create difficulties for first-time buyers, it’s also a stark reminder that Watford is a much sought-after place to live.

And in the words of Yellasince72, an online commenter on the story: “It's a new year. Let's get behind our town, and if all goes to plan Watford will be a thriving, great place to live in ten years’ time - if it all goes to plan.”