The Mayor of Watford has slammed new Government demands to increase the number of houses being built in the borough, warning it will lead to “town cramming”.

Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Sajid Javid announced this week new changes that would bring about a “revolution” in how councils across the country approached housing building.

The Government has called on urban councils to increase their housing numbers and approve more development but not to “tear up the green belt” in the process.

Mr Javid added that he would be “breathing down [councils'] neck day and night to make sure [they] are actually delivering on those numbers”.

Dorothy Thornhill has since called the proposals “outrageous” if other factors such as roads and schools are not considered.

She said: “Everyone understands how serious the housing crisis is across the country, in particularly in Watford. It’s too difficult for young people to get a foot on the housing ladder.

“However, it’s outrageous for this Conservative government to suggest that only urban councils should take all the burden for the huge number of new homes proposed. They’re letting Conservative run councils with huge amount of green belt land off the hook.

“All these proposals amount to is town cramming. A doubling in housing numbers in Watford will lead to a big strain on our roads, our public transport systems, our doctors surgeries and our schools.

“It’s simply not fair for councils like Watford to be taking all the burden of extra homes particularly when we have always met our housing targets.”

The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure and also MP for Watford Richard Harrington have been contacted for comment.