The developers behind a planning application to turn Rembrandt House in Whippendell Road, Watford, into housing say the listed building is 80 per cent vacant despite a £500,000 refurbishment.

Ben Grinnall, of Landchain Limited, said: "We have spent more than £500,000 refurbishing the building for commercial use and have been trying to let it for a number of years.

"The building is unsuitable for most businesses who prefer ground floor loading access, disabled access, lifts etc and all the things that come with modern buildings.

"The kendo club is one tenancy that we have secured and we are keeping any commercial tenants that we have in place in the building."

Objectors to the plans included members of the Kodokan Kendo Club, based at Rembrandt House, who said the development would be a travesty for the community.

But Mr Grinnall said: "The building is 80 per cent vacant and we can’t afford to keep it that way.

"It’s a locally listed building and we would like to bring it back to life, hence hiring Assael Architecture who are one of the top practices in London.

"The new development will have 67 car parking spaces for both residential and commercial use on the rear site.

"We will be providing new public toilets for the kendo club and all residents and tenants will be protected by the conditions of any planning permission which restrict working hours.

"The kendo club normally train in the evening an at weekends so the effect on them should be minimal in comparison to anyone else."