Demolishing the former hotel in Rickmansworth would be a "terrible shame", according to a senior councillor.

Campaigners have fought hard to protect Long Island Exchange in Victoria Close from being knocked down and turned into numerous homes.

Developers Keay Homes were given permission to demolish part of the hotel to make way for 33 flats and four houses in July.

But the developers have now lodged plans to demolish the entire complex and convert it into 33 apartments, four houses and associated parking.

Councillor David Sansom, representative for Rickmansworth Town said: "I think it will be a terrible shame if, after all these battles, they do demolish it.

"They will get a much better development if they kept the original building. It is just madness if they do anything else.

"I think people will be very angry. Developers are probably used to people being angry, but if they do demolish it. It shows their attitude to local people. It is terrible news.

In November, a planning inspector ruled the hotel could be demolished to make way for 31 apartments and politicians rejected the application in April.

In his judgement, Mr Phillip Ware said: "The significance of that asset has been seriously degraded over time and there is a clear and convincing justification for the loss of the building.

"The original late nineteenth century buildings have suffered unsympathetic external and internal alterations over the years, as is accepted by the council.

The saga first began in December 2012 when proposals were thrown out to demolish the hotel and build 87 flats and fiver town houses.

In March last year plans to build 65 residential units and were rejected, as was this March’s application to turn it in to 27 flats and four houses.

Reasons why politicians have thrown out previous plans have been because of the scale of the proposed building, inadequate parking and the increased strain the development would put on local amenities.

Councillor Chris Whately-Smith, chairman of the planning committee said: "It is likely that the application will be called in to the committee.

"It has only just been validated and will be considered at a later date.

"The appeal on a previous application gave permission. The planning inspector, in his report examined our reasons and their reasons and said he would pass the application for the reasons set out in his judgement.

"We therefore have to take that into consideration."