Hertsmere councillors have allowed developers to remove any affordable housing from plans for a new block of 20 flats in Bushey.

The scheme to convert Prestige House in Melbourne Road into homes had previously been approved, but amended plans were submitted after the developer said reduced land values meant it was no longer viable to include affordable housing.

A decision on the new plans was expected in September, but councillors deferred a decision to allow the borough council’s viability assessor, Aspinall Verdi, to provide clarification on whether any affordable schemes could be included.

During last week’s meeting experts from Aspinall Verdi explained in relation to planning policy the developers would not be required to provide any affordable units.

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Included within the planning permission is a review into the viability of the scheme once the conversion is complete to assess whether any affordable units are possible at this time.

The council expressed its disappointment with the loss but voted to grant planning permission to the amended proposals.

They will include 11 studio flats and nine one-bedroom flats. There will also be 26 parking spaces available for the block.

The plans passed with one vote against and one abstention.