A scheme to convert offices in Watford town centre into a 60-bedroom "student halls of residence"-style development has been voted through.

Councillors on Watford Borough Council's development control panel agreed the proposal for The Parade tonight despite expressing concerns about its size.

Yet the committee was warned by officials their concerns were not strong enough planning grounds to refuse the development.

The proposals, by RSF investments, will see the offices above the shops in JSA House turned into 64 separate private rental rooms with shared kitchens.

The roof is to be extended and turned into a gym with a roof garden.

The scheme was met with opposition from residents nearby who wrote to the council expressing fears it could become accommodation for "the homeless, drug addicted [and] the mentally incapacitated" if it fails to attract enough private tenants.

However council planning officers recommended the development be approved.

At the meeting Helen Hunter, representing RSF, said the apartments were aimed at people who worked in Watford but did not live in the area and those struggling to afford other private rental properties.

Starting the debate, Councillor George Derbyshire, a Liberal Democrat representing Park, said he understood there was a demand for that sort of accommodation but expressed concern about number of units.

He also cited Government reports that highlighted problems associated with multiple occupancy properties, adding The Parade was an "extremely important location".

"The evidence of the research contained in these reports identify adverse effects and it is reasonable for us to take these into account," said Councillor Derbyshire.

"Things like noise, antisocial behaviour, poor refuse management, transient tenants with less of an interest in the sustainability of the area."

Councillor Derbyshire's concerns found support with Leggatts Lib Dem Steve Johnson, who said the number of planned rooms was "just too high".

Meanwhile Nascot Liberal Democrat councillor, Mark Watkin, said he supported the application and the new people it would bring into the town centre.

"It will bring a new community to that part of the town and I am struggling to see a negative with that," he said. "I support this fully. It is radical, it's difficult, it's challenging but I can't see a reason in planning law to say no."

Iain Sharpe, a Liberal Democrat for Oxhey, said he was also uncomfortable with the scale of the development and compared it to a "student halls of residence".

But he said he was unsure the committee had sufficient grounds to reject it.

Planning officer Simon Hoskin warned the panel the qualms they had raised about the development would likely be overturned if the applicant took the case to a planning appeal.

Councillor Derbyshire tabled a motion to reject the development which was supported for by himself and councillor Johnson, but voted down by councillors Sharpe, Watkin, Tim Williams and Rabi Martins.

The plan was then voted through by councillors Sharpe, Martins and Williams, with the other three abstaining.