Plans to build hundreds of new homes close to Bushey Arches look set to be thrown out by councillors next week.

Developers, Barion Homes, have applied for permission to build 176 flats on the former Massey waste transfer station, off Chalk Hill.

The plans are due to be considered by Watford Borough Council's planning committee next Thursday night.

In a report published today, however, the council's planning officers have recommended the plans for refusal.

The officers wrote: “The proposal will result in harm to the character of the area and the proposed development will fail to integrate effectively with the existing townscape.”

The latest application is a revised plan, after an two earlier proposal were rejected.

On the first occasion the plans came before councillors on the development control committee, 20 separate reason were given for refusal.

A subsequent application was also thrown out, with councillors stating 23 faults.

And officers say the latest plan has changed little The report continued: “The proposed design remains very similar in many respects and a number of significant issues relating to the scale and siting of buildings, the layout of the site and access arrangements remain unresolved.”

This time, officers gave 16 reasons for refusal.

The plans will be voted on by councillors next Thursday night.