Neighbours say plans to convert three houses into 40 flats will affect their privacy and security.

People in St John’s Road, have written to Watford Borough Council to express alarm at plans by the Seventh Day Adventist Association to demolish the existing detached houses and build two blocks of flats.

Listed among the concerns from residents were lack of parking, poor design and security concerns.

Mary Smithard lives at the back of the proposed development.

She said: “I would be very concerned with security and privacy.

“This would make unwanted access into my property very easy, as we only have a normal wooden fence round our property.

“I would insist that there was a substantial wall along the rear of the houses along Albert Road North.

Mrs Smithard said it was “ridiculous” to only have provision for four parking spaces.

She added: “On a more personal level, our privacy would tend to be compromised. At present the greenery along the land at the rear the proposed development provide a welcome oasis of tranquillity in the middle of a busy town centre. It is lovely to hear the birds constantly singing in the trees.

“I think this is a terrible over development of an area which was originally a garden.”

The buildings are currently used as offices by the Seventh Day Adventist Association Limited, who own the site.

Of the 40 proposed flats, developers said 14 would be affordable.

Another neighbour Kim Gauld-Clark said the design was poor. She said: “I feel a much better design could be achieved.

"Whilst St John’s Road is not within a conservation area, it does have an overall attractive character with some buildings with a high quality of design. The redevelopment of this site should reflect and enhance this.”

Ian and Sue Pankhurst live near the proposed development. Among parking concerns, they said they wanted the current “flimsy” fence replaced by a brick wall for security purposes.

They added: “We are concerned that the overall feel will be that of being enclosed and the look of the area will change due to a loss of trees.

“Also that we will be overlooked by three storey blocks which will be quite close to our house and back garden. The potential noise level will rise due to having so many people living so close. We feel this will be an over population of a small area.”

The plans, which were submitted to Watford Borough Council earlier this year, will debated by a planning committee next Thursday.