A letter claiming less houses should be built in Watford has triggered a wave of similar views about the impact more would have on the borough.

In a submission to the Observer, Tim Wyatt claimed areas like Watford needed less housing because building additional properties would only encourage more people to move here.

Limiting the amount, he claimed, "would help us bring the UK population into some kind of sustainable balance". 

He also stressed that he had "enormous sympathy" for the borough council as it had no choice but to comply with government policy.

The views sparked debate among fellow readers, with many agreeing that more housing would be detrimental to Watford.

One contributor, Sammiie Price, responded on Facebook: “Housing is all well and good but all you're getting in Watford is rabbit hutch flats with inadequate parking.

"Where are these people meant to go to see a GP when there’s no new surgeries being formed?

"How are the children meant to go to school when schools are already over subscribed and no new ones are being built?

"Stop cramming people in like sardines.”

Watford Observer:

How new flats in the Riverwell development could look like near Watford General

Jean Milsom said that the housing plans bring the area "a step closer to being The London Borough of Watford", while Phillip Soskin questioned "how will all this lead to carbon neutral by 2050?".

Matt Louis Roberts also stressed the importance of good surrounding infrastructure - adding people want green spaces not overcrowded buildings.

But contributor 'nigelk212' branded the idea that less housing is needed as "short-sighted", adding "high demand only exists because of pressure on supply.

"If we didn't need more housing, developers would not be building. They only build new homes knowing they will make a profit from sales."

He claimed the key issue is that few first time buyers can afford houses, which spikes the demand for flats and therefore more are built.

According to the latest figures, less than half the number of homes Watford was tasked with delivering over a three-year period were completed.

Results from the Government’s Housing Delivery Test show 874 homes were built locally between 2017 and 2020, which is just 48 per cent of its target set by central Government.

The town's latest housing target, according to the area's mayor Peter Taylor, is 800 homes per year, which he previously branded "unrealistic".