A proposed flat development in Rickmansworth has been branded as something which resembles "Soviet Eastern Europe".

Councillor Paula Hiscocks criticised the lack of family houses being built in the town and said the design of the proposed development in Wharf Lane is out of character with neighbouring properties.

St William Homes LLP is a joint venture between developers The Berkeley Group and the National Grid and the group wants to build 66 flats on the former gasworks site.

Current plans suggest there will be one, two and three bedroom apartments inside a single four storey building at the site.

But Councillor Hiscocks criticised the plan for the development, saying: "The building still resembles something which reminds me of the utilitarian buildings from the Soviet Eastern Europe, with flat roofed, sharp corners and flat windows.

"This is totally out of character with the hipped and gabled roofs of the adjoining properties with their bay windows".

"Salters close was built when design bordering a conservation area was not taken into consideration I would have hoped we have moved on and want only architecturally appealing buildings in our town centre."

Jamie Folliard, development manager for St William Homes said: "More than 110 people visited our follow-up public exhibition last week at The Royal British Legion to give their thoughts on our updated proposals.

"Following feedback from the consultation in December 2014, we have revised the scheme to provide 66 apartments. This includes a range of dwelling sizes to meet local demand, gives an increase in parking, and provides more than one third of the site as communal landscaped gardens.

"We are reviewing the further feedback from the community, more detail can be found at www.wharflaneconsultation.co.uk or talk directly to the team on 0800 130 3270."

Michael Stimson, chair of Rickmansworth Residents Association said: "The land should be put to good use for residential use.

"We were hoping to see a community centre built on it because our local community centre is Watersmeet and that is not available to local groups because it is booked up years in advance.

"I think, in principle the site should have properties, but the developer’s should have designed it more in keeping with the rest of the area."

But on the website for the development, St William Homes LLP insist the development will be made up using bricks that will make the development "look and feel" like Wharf Lane and Salters Close.