A hotly debated application to demolish 10 bungalows and build 32 flats has been approved to shouts of "shame on you" from campaigners.

Watford Community Housing Trust’s proposal to build new homes in Hemming Way was voted through despite the fact it will “stick out like a sore thumb”.

Watford Borough Council planning committee unanimously agreed planning officers' recommendation for approval at a meeting last Thursday.

Speaking on behalf of residents, Jane Owen told the meeting more than 500 had signed a petition to prevent two, three-storey blocks containing one and two-bedroom flats in the Leavesden Green Estate.

Ms Owen said: "It's still too big, still too brash and this monstrosity should be rejected.

"This is still a blatant overdevelopment and will ruin the character of the area."

The Trust originally submitted plans in February last year, which were refused at a planning meeting in October – when councillors said the development was the “wrong building in the wrong place”.

Campaigners from Save Our Bungalows argued the resubmitted plans had not been changed enough.

They branded the development an "Eastern European carbuncle", and said it would break up a friendly community which has come to rely on each other for day to day living.

The location of the development.

Elderly couples in their 90s were evicted from the bungalows and offered £5,000 compensation from the Trust, who said nine of the 10 bungalows were now empty.

Speaking on behalf of residents, Stanborough Liberal Democrat councillor Keith Crout said the development was the “wrong building in the wrong place”.

Following the decision, he said: "My anger is more with the Trust for following this course of action and the Government who make it so difficult for housing associations to provide homes at a cost that the ordinary people of Watford can afford."

Debating the plans, Cllr Sohail Bashir said: "Sometimes your heart tells you one thing and your mind another.

“If this matter were to go to appeal if we were to turn it down we would not win.

“With a heavy heart, and I feel for the residents, I cannot see any reason to refuse this application.”

Cllr George Derbyshire acknowledged the development would change the character of the area.

He said: “One has to accept life goes on. Watford is in great difficulty in terms of supply of affordable housing.

"Although character is a material consideration it does not carry weight of other considerations.”

Cllr Iain Sharpe said it would be misleading to vote against as the council would not win an appeal.

Despite Cllr Tim Williams moving for rejection, the scheme was passed to heckles from the audience.

Gareth Lewis, director of partnerships at the Trust, said: “This is great news and most importantly the residents of Watford.

"The new homes will be bigger, better and cheaper to heat. We believe the new design has a softer appearance which better respects the local context.

"As we have said previously, we are pleased that the second application still delivered the same high level of much needed affordable housing for Watford as we continue to work towards our target of 500 new homes in Watford and Three Rivers."