A vacant industrial area in Watford will be turned into homes after businesses showed "no interest" in the commercial property since its construction two years ago.

The six commercial units in Dodd Road will be converted into ten new homes for the Leggatts Green estate by developer Taylor Wimpey North Thames.

Watford Borough Council development control committee narrowly approved the application five to four at the meeting on Tuesday night, which proposes the conversion of the vacant ground floor commercial units within the neighbourhood centre into seven flats and the erection of a detached block of three flats.

Councillors were concerned the buildings could have been used as community facilities that are "desperately needed" in that ward.

Liberal Democrat councillor Mark Watkin said the buildings could be utilised by community groups, in particular young people.

He said: "I’m voting against this proposal. This is potential accommodation for young people. I have spoken to residents groups and I know they are desperate to find such a place - I don’t know if they’re aware this space is available."

Fellow Liberal Democrat Stephen Johnson wondered if all possible efforts had been made to find people to take on the buildings - in particular the health authority.

Mr Johnson said: "I wonder how active the council has been in approaching the local health authority. Callowland Surgery is full, you cannot get an appointment.

"To me it’s just joined up thinking. Have we had all these discussions?"

However, other councillors felt two years was enough time for interest in the site to be drummed up and the housing development was an ideal opportunity to cut losses and have something "meaningful" in place.

Labour’s Nigel Bell said community groups were reluctant to take on the running and management of these kinds of units.

He said: "There is no footfall past those buildings whatsoever. There has been no interest in them, which is understandable given their location. It hasn’t worked in this case.

"It’s always difficult to get community groups to take over and run and manage the building.

"We have the option of leaving these units vacant for the foreseeable future or the opportunity to make meaningful use of them by turning it into a residential area.

"It’s a question of how soon we are going to address this issue."

Liberal Democrat George Derbyshire added: "They are not commercially viable. They have been empty for two years and I can see why - they are just in the wrong place.

"This situation has been demonstrated for two years. I’d much prefer to see that space used as residential flats rather than keep them empty."