Watford Borough Council has refused permission to knock down a family home and replace it with a block of flats.

The case officer said the proposal in Stratford Road would cause "harm" to nearby locally listed buildings and the Nascot Conservation Area.

The officer also described the plans to build eight flats in a three-storey building as "excessive" for the size of the plot, adding the proposals would "not enhance the character and quality of the area".

In the officer's final decision report, they also considered the proposed development to represent "poor quality living accommodation", pointing towards two units having "deep and relatively narrow" living rooms and kitchen, with just one north facing window providing "poor levels" of natural light.

The decision to refuse Smart Build Homes' plans has been welcomed by Nascot ward councillor Tom Osborn, who along with residents, had raised concerns about the development.

Cllr Osborn said he and his colleagues were concerned about the site's proximity to the "hazardous" junction of Stratford Road and Langley Road.

He said in May: "Moving the parking arrangements from Stratford Road to the busy Langley Road is an accident waiting to happen."

Residents and councillors were worried about the new access point. This is the view that would have been met by people leaving the proposed development

Residents and councillors were worried about the new access point. This is the view that would have been met by people leaving the proposed development

Following the council's decision, published on Wednesday, Cllr Osborn said: "Local residents will be delighted the council has seen fit to reject this wholly unsuitable scheme which local residents were deeply opposed to.

"As they have recognised, the proposal was of poor quality, and the scheme would have meant the loss of a local family home, as well as adding to road traffic hazards."

Councillor Tom Osborn pictured outside the property in April

Councillor Tom Osborn pictured outside the property in April

The Liberal Democrat councillor added: "The developer and site owner may seek to reapply - they previously sought permission for a larger development before withdrawing - however we would urge them to consider the depth of local opposition to the build, as well as bearing in mind that previous rejections on the same site, when considering fresh proposals, are one of the biggest factors taken into consideration by the council’s planning and building control team."

The full decision can be found here while all of the details about this application can be found on the council's planning portal. The reference is 21/00571/FUL.