A pair of Victorian family homes have been saved from demolition, for now, after a plan to replace them with 18 flats was refused.

Developers had hoped to transform the two-storey semi-detached houses in Marlborough Road, close to the junction with Francis Road, into a three-storey block of flats.

One parking space would have been provided.


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Resident Mohammed Arfeen spoke against the proposal, which was heard by Watford Borough Council's Development Control Committee on Thursday.

He said: “I've lived here in Watford for almost 30 years. I've seen a lot of developments, some good, some not so good.

“This development, with regard to the fact it only has one parking space, does not sustain the area. If you have 18 people moving in, 18 may require to have a car. There's virtually no parking available in the area. If a development of this size does take place, it will have a major impact on parking in the area.”

Central ward councillor Chris Leslie added: “Residents don't think this is suitable because of its size and design. In Central over the past four or five years we've had lots of flats built. I and residents have expressed the loss of family homes as a concern.”

Planning officers recommended the application for refusal, as the development would have a “harmful effect on the character and appearance of the area”.

But Roger Pigeon, an agent representing the applicant Neville Hussein, asked the committee to defer the application so a “dialogue” may take place between the developer and planning officers.

He said: “The site in question isn't in a character area and is in an area of transition between the town centre and West Watford. The key word here is agreement. I request the committee defer the application so that dialogue can take place.”

His plea, however, fell on deaf ears as the committee refused the application.

Councillor Rabi Martins said: “A development of this ilk is inappropriate and unacceptable. I know we are often persuaded to have car-free developments in certain areas but in this particular area, a car-free development with this number of residents is simply not acceptable. Excluding people from the CPZ (controlled parking zone) is meaningless.”

Councillor Sheila Smillie described the proposal as a “step too far”.

She said: “We all want this area to have regeneration in it but I never like to see family homes lost, but I do understand that flats have to be allowed. The design alone is a step too far for me.”