The controversial application to turn Rickmansworth’s only remaining hotel into homes has been unanimously approved by politicians.

Proposals to turn Long Island Exchange, in Victoria Close, into flats and houses were passed by Three Rivers councillors at a planning meeting tonight.

This is the fourth application lodged by Keay Homes and sought permission to convert the original Long Island Exchange building into eight apartments and to demolish the existing hotel extension and construct 25 apartments and four houses.

Officers recommended councillors approve the application and politicians were reluctant to go against them, with councillor Ann Shaw asking the committee if they could think of any planning grounds on which to decline permission.

Councillors could think of  none and unanimously voted through the proposals.