The former Comet headquarters in Rickmansworth could be converted into almost 60 homes, it has emerged.

Three Rivers District Council has been told that developers want to turn Swan House, formerly known as Comet House, in Homestead Road, into 59 homes.

But Nina Hosking, chair of Rickmansworth Chamber of Commerce, blasted the proposal and said the council is failing to protect commercial properties in the town.

She said: "This is dreadful news for Rickmansworth. This council will be the downfall of our High Street.

"The Local Plan Site Allocation Document which was adopted just before Christmas and the council's reluctance to protect the commercial buildings in their Principal Town with an Article 4 Direction - will be the downfall of the High Street.

"The document zoned 15 per cent of the overall housing [in the district] for Rickmansworth.

"It also took out five extant commercial sites for housing in addition to five office blocks that had already been knocked down over the last ten years.

"We have businesses leaving the town as they want to expand but there is no office of that type available anymore."

The site allocation document, which was adopted by politicians in November, sets out where more than 1,800 residential properties could be built in Three Rivers between now and 2026.

It also makes provisions for residential and commercial properties in the town over the same period.

Under current proposals, 183 homes could be built in Rickmansworth while 60 per cent of new homes are expected to be built in other key areas.

But Councillor Ann Shaw, leader of Three Rivers District Council rejected the criticism, saying that the council cannot ignore government planning laws and urged everyone to get behind High Street businesses.

She said: "It is a matter for different opinion about whether it is better to have a building which is empty and hope that a business will come in and there is no sign of it or turn it into homes which we are in dire need of.

"We need to take a more positive approach to our High Street. If we keep criticising them, it does not help them.

"The local businesses, particularly shoppers depend on local people shopping there.

"The council does not have the choice of finding sites and putting them up to the inspector.

"One of the most important things we do to support the High Street is free-shopper parking. We have had a lot of pressure to change that, but we have rejected it."

Swan House was originally only allowed to be used for office purposes, but politicians changed this in July by removing restrictions on the site.