Councillors have lamented the changing character of an Oxhey street, after “yet another” back garden development was approved.

Developers have won planning permission to demolish number 15 and the garage of 13 Green Lane, and replace them with six four- and five-bedroom detached homes.

Number 13 will be retained, while two houses will be built on land occupied by number 15. A further four houses will be built in the rear gardens of the two properties, aligned with neighbouring homes in Heathfield Close.

They will be served by an access road from Green Lane past number 13.

A similar application was rejected in December 2008 due to trees overshadowing the proposed new gardens, but planning officers said concerns about tree cover in the gardens had been addressed.

In their report, officers added that the scheme was “acceptable”, due to the nearby developments of Heathfield Close, Sonia Close, Hollybush Close and other similar projects, which have “set a precedent of infill development within back gardens” along Green Lane.

Members of Watford Borough Council's development control committee heard the proposals on Thursday, and the application was approved by five votes to one, with one abstention.

Councillor Steve Rackett said: “These are traditional, good looking houses and there's just a little bit of disappointment at the garages next to them. The most complimentary remark I can make about them is they look like toilet blocks. It's a shame they cannot do anything else.”

Councillor Zoe McQuire rued the demise of Green Lane's street scene.

She said: “I don't think they look particularly fine houses. Much more than that, I'm saddened that very slowly but surely Green Lane has changed to where its no longer the road it used to be. We have changed Green Lane. I find it terribly sad we are constantly being asked to approve these developments. Every time we get one we have a previous one as a precedent. On what basis can we refuse this?”

Councillor George Derbyshire added: “It does seem we are in a difficult situation here. There's a general feeling against yet another back garden development that punctuates the flow of the street scene along Green Lane.”