A homeowner in Rickmansworth feels she would be wasting nearly "ten thousand pounds" trying to get planning permission from Three Rivers District Council.

Kathy Hurst and her partner, John Davies, both 66, want to split their four bedroom property, in Highfield Way, into two properties and sell one of them.

But after having a pre-application meeting at Three Rivers District Council in May, the pair feel their plans would be "a definite refusal" and met with South West Herts MP, David Gauke in a bid to gain support for the idea, which Ms Hurst claims would benefit thousands across the country.

Ms Hurst said: "I find them [Three Rivers District Council] unapproachable.

"I could go for a full planning application, but it costs thousands of pounds and they are going to refuse it, so it is like I am throwing good money away and then I would have to go to appeal, which would also cost thousands.

"It is such a good idea, not just for me, but for the whole country and everyone claiming there is a housing crisis. 

"We went to see David Gauke at one of his surgeries and he seemed interested.

"He said he cannot turn round to the planning officers and say ‘pass it’ but he said he can write to Eric Pickles [currently secretary of state for communities and local government] and Brandon Lewis [minister for housing and planning]."

David Gauke MP also wrote to Steven Halls, chief executive of Three Rivers District Council, seeking clarification on the council’s position, but was advised that the couple would have to put a full-application in to test whether their plans would be accepted.

Ms Hurst told the Watford Observer that the splitting of the property would create a "two or three "bedroom" house and a "three or four bedroom house," both with room for three cars to park.

The 66-year-old added: "Nationally, there are tens of thousands of pensioners living in their own large houses, which are too big, with only half the house being used.  These are too expensive to heat and they need to reduce council tax and outgoings to make their homes affordable.

"We do not want to move from the area as we are settled and have friends and families and grandchildren in the area. Many people look after grandchildren to allow the parents to go to work and not pay for childcare."

Kevin Snow, press officer for Three Rivers District Council said: "Sub-dividing a house is material change of use and requires planning permission.  

"The aim of pre-application advice is to help applicants speed up any future formal planning application, remove any errors in the application and to explain the relevant principles. Pre-app advice is not a planning application decision - it is advice given in good faith."