Proposals to build more than 50 new homes on the cramped Boundary Way estate have been recommended for approval by Three Rivers District Council.

The planning committee are finally due to make a decision on the plans submitted by Watford Community Housing Trust tonight.

Watford Borough Council development control committee gave the green light to their side of the development last month in the face of strong opposition by residents.

Now the housing association faces the final hurdle in getting the go ahead to its proposals, which include demolishing 24 flats, the shop and community building and removing on-site garages to create 56 new one, two and three-bed homes.

The trust’s plans further commit to building a new shop and community facilities including community gardens, parking, landscaping and alterations to the main carriageway at Boundary Way.

Three Rivers planners have urged politicians to grant planning permission.

In the report to the committee, planning officers said: "The proposal will achieve significant improvements to the layout and appearance of the site with the removal of poorly sited lock-up garages and the creation of open, landscaped parking courts.

"New dwellings will front the highway and overlook the parking courts, enhancing the street scene and providing passive surveillance.

"The central area of the site will also be rejuvenated with new dwellings and a new shop, community facility and community garden with improved accessibility to form a new focus to the estate.

"Overall, the proposal will significantly enhance the estate in terms of its layout, appearance, landscaping and car parking as well as providing a net increase of 31 affordable dwellings."

The application in its current form has come before the committee twice before.

The Preliminary Report was considered in the July meeting and the application was deferred for a site visit which took place on August 11.

The application was then considered at the August meeting and deferred to seek amendments to the landscaping aspects of the scheme and for further clarification on the parking situation, density and character of the estate, affordable housing and infrastructure provision and wildlife.

The committee is due to make its decision at the planning meeting at 7.30pm, Penn Chamber, Three Rivers House, tonight.