Neighbours gathered to oppose “inappropriate” plans to build new houses beside picturesque family homes.

Cllr Peter Taylor, who represents the Oxhey Ward, was handed a petition signed by 551 people in Lower Paddock Road, Oxhey Village, on Saturday morning.

He will hand over the petition to Watford Borough Council when the proposals will be considered at the development management committee on Wednesday, September 6

Members of the Oxhey Village Environment Group (OVEG) are concerned that building “modern-looking” flats alongside Victorian homes with long back gardens will be “out of character” with the village’s conservation area.

Helen Davies, has lived nearby in Warneford Place for six years with her two young children and is worried the future of the area may be “in doubt” due to the back garden development.

She said: “The plans have devastated those who will live directly behind the block, as it is in the wrong area and will overshadow our homes because they are not family orientated and will have too much of a modern look.

“We moved here to bring up our children the village had such a unique and quaint character. However, this will turn the village into something else and the future of the village will be in doubt.”

Kim Baxter, environment officer at OVEG, believes traffic will worsen along the road.

She said: “There will be more traffic as there will be three car spaces each for the homes.

“The flats just do not lend themselves to families. However, we are not against the homes- we just feel they are in the wrong area.”

Adrian Walsh lives in Lower Paddock Road and has just recently welcomed a baby girl with his wife.

He said: “We moved into the area knowing that it was a conservation area and it had a family feel.

“This will not look right and it feels as though none of the neighbours have had any say in the plans.”

Councillor Peter Taylor, who represents Client Services, said: “The decision on the proposals has not yet been made; it will be considered by the council’s development management committee in September. I shall personally hand the petition over to the council and am confident that the committee will listen to the comments and views of the local community when coming to its decision.

“The plans have already been changed as a result of local feedback with the number of properties proposed being reduced from four to three. The council does have to comply with the national planning framework.

“There is increasing pressure from central government for councils to build more homes. But Watford Council rejects more applications than many other authorities and will stand up to developers if necessary.”

On Saturday morning, he added: “I’m very supportive of the campaign as the development is out of keeping with the area.

“I will do what I can to get it changed.”