Neighbours are concerned that plans to double up the first floor of a coffee shop with a wine bar will generate “massive noise disturbance”.

Construction on the block of 14 flats and an adjoining two- storey sandwich bar and coffee shop in 9 Station Road, opposite Watford Junction, was completed earlier this year.

Planning permission was granted on January 3 for Cedarmill Developments to use the ground floor as a coffee shop and a wine bar.

However, plans to extend the drinking establishment to the first floor were also granted at a development management committee on July 26.

People who live above the coffee shop believe the extension will cause “noise disturbance” if there are longer drinking hours.

Anthony Lerner, of Junction Court, Station Road, said: “I would like to strongly object to the proposed plan to change the unit from a coffee shop to a drinking establishment, as I have no doubt that the noise levels will be dreadful.

“Furthermore there is already noise from drunken revellers from the pub across the road, so it will be so much worse if there was another drinking place directly under the flats.”

Simon Tabelin, who also lives in the building, added: “I object because of noise levels. This is a residential block and extended trading hours would be a massive disturbance and force us to keep our windows closed.”

Cedarmill Developments initially had the application for the first floor refused on March 17 over concerns it would generate too much noise.

READ MORE: Wine bar plans rejected over noise concerns 

Cllr Collett, who is responsible for community at Watford Borough Council, said: "The council takes the wellbeing of residents and the impact of developments very seriously and I absolutely understand residents’ concerns whilst recognising we live in a busy urban environment.

"In this case significant work was done to determine if the proposed use would adversely and unreasonably impact on local residents - including requiring the applicant to employ specialist acoustic engineers and undertake sound monitoring.

"Officers have placed various conditions on the planning permission and licence to proactively limit the impact, this includes installation of a sound limiter. Officers will work with the business if there is any unreasonable noise but we hope with the work done so far this won’t be needed.”

Cedarmill Developments have been contacted for comment.