Three Rivers District Council has been taken to court over its decision to turn a former community centre into temporary accommodation for homeless families.

Steven Halls, the Chief Executive of Three Rivers, confirmed a property developer in the British Virgin Islands has applied for a judicial review of the council’s plans to replace the empty Royal Voluntary Service centre site in Bury Lane, Rickmansworth, with 17 flats.

He added the review will determine whether Three Rivers “complied with policies and procedures when making the decision, rather than the merits of the site."

The plans to place families needing shelter in The Bury have sparked fury among numerous people in Rickmansworth, as they believe their voices “have not been heard” by the council.

At a policy and resources committee meeting at Three Rivers House on July 17, a motion to abandon the plans was turned down by councillors, despite objectors pointing out the proposed building will “not be suitable for vulnerable people”.

READ MORE: ‘It is a shabby excuse for a refuge’: Neighbours express fury as councillors permit plans for temporary accommodation

READ MORE: Man calls for relocation of temporary accommodation over fears it is not suitable for homeless families

Dr Halls mentioned last month’s “heated debate” in the August edition of the Three Rivers’ All Aboard employee newsletter.

He wrote: “On the RVS matter, I exercised my discretion to divert a motion for council to the following week’s policy and resources committee and there was a goodly crowd gathered to hear the debate.

“The heated debate was expertly steered by cllr Sara Bedford, who had made exemplary efforts to ensure she was well briefed for what was always going to be a bruising debate.

“A wealthy person opposed to helping the homeless and the disturbing of the atmosphere at The Bury has now applied from his base in the British Virgin Islands for a judicial review, so that will soak up more officer resource to oppose that.”

In response, Dr Halls said he believes the council are “in a strong position and should resist the review”.

He said: "The application for judicial review has been made by a property developer through an offshore company registered in the British Virgin Islands.

“The council are currently taking detailed legal advice, but the initial findings are that the council are in a strong position and should resist the review.

“This legal move is purely on the basis of whether the council have complied with policies and procedures when making the decision, rather than the merits of the site. I am confident that we have done so, as on all planning applications that the council decides."

Council leader cllr Sara Bedford added: "This is a last ditch attempt to try to prevent the council building much-needed accommodation on its own land."