Angry neighbours of a homeowner who has been granted permission to expand his property on a leafy Watford road are hoping to challenge the decision.

Watford Borough Council’s planning committee voted to allow the expansion of 2, Roughwood Close, by a slim four to five majority following a lengthy debate at a meeting last Thursday.

The applicant, Ali Abbas, submitted plans to drastically expand the house which sits in a spacious corner plot at the end of the close, near to Cassiobury Park.

The house will have a side and rear extension built onto it, as well as a front porch enclosure with two side storeys.

James Bratchell, who lives on the road, addressed councillors before the vote saying the extension would breach the established building line on the close, which keeps homes at least 30 ft from the road.

He argued that the building line was covered by a covenant and approving the application would change the character of the area.

"This is a clear breach of Roughwood Close’s character and charm," he said.

Mr Bratchell’s argument found support with Liberal Democrat councillor George Derbyshire, who represents the Park area where the house is.

He said although the covenant did not have full weight in planning law, councillors should still consider the impact the violation of the building line would have the street.

Councillor Derbyshire also queried the planning officers' decision to recommend the application for approval.

"I question why we are approving this and saying it will have no adverse effect on the neighbouring properties," he added.

Councillor Mark Watkin, a Liberal Democrat for Nascot, said he was sympathetic to the concerns of residents but worried that if the committee refused they application it would open the council up a planning appeal.

However, before councillors voted David Noble, development management section head, urged them to dismiss arguments over the building line in their deliberations.

He said: "I suggest that you put out of your minds all talk of building lines and assess the impact the application will have on the area."

Following the meeting Mr Bratchell said residents were angry at the way it had gone and were looking into if they could challenge it.

He said: "We felt we had a strong case. We thought we were going to win but then the head of planning advised all the councillors to ignore the building line.

"It will fundamentally change the character of the area."