A planning inspector will decide whether to override a council's decision to refuse plans for a block of flats in a residential street.

It comes after the applicants behind a scheme for 57 flats in Monmouth Road in Watford town centre submitted an appeal to the planning inspectorate.

The Planning Inspectorate is a government agency that developers can appeal to for a final decision if a planning application through the local authority has proved unsuccessful.

Last May, Watford Borough Council turned down Santok Homes' application to demolish five homes and a vicarage and replace it with a part three, five, and seven-storey block of flats to the "delight" of residents who had fought the scheme.

Campaigners were concerned about the size of the proposed building, and the council's planning committee turned down the plans based on the "height and bulk" of the proposed flats and the "unacceptable harm" the proposal would have on the "character" of Monmouth Road and the surrounding area.

Read more: Council turns down plans for 57 flats in Monmouth Road

Among those fighting the plans were Chloe and Tom Harper, who told the Observer in January last year they had "regrets" about moving to Watford after learning of Santok Homes' proposal.

Mrs Harper said at the time: "We moved our young family from London to a traditional family residential area in Watford to enjoy a better quality of life and raise our family.

"I’m now expecting our second child, and the stress and anxiety of living on a construction site and then among a development such as this proposal with a newborn and toddler, makes us wish we had never moved to Watford."

Tom and Chloe Harper pictured last year with their son. Theyve since had another son and remain concerned about flats at the end of Monmouth Road

Tom and Chloe Harper pictured last year with their son. They've since had another son and remain concerned about flats at the end of Monmouth Road

Mrs Harper has also raised serious concerns about the scale of the development, which she says is in "stark contrast" to the predominantly two-storey Victorian character of the area.

The Harper's are now rallying their neighbours together again to ensure they make their feelings known to the government planning inspector.

In its grounds for appeal, Santok Homes' planning agent has reminded the planning inspector the scheme had actually been recommended for approval by a council planning officer.

Any comments to the planning inspectorate must be made by March 15 here. The reference number is APP/Y1945/W/20/3261681.