Plans to knock down a care home and replace it with a building of flats have been rejected for a second time.

It would have seen the former 24-bed Hillside Rest care home in Kingsfield Road, Oxhey demolished and nine flats built in its place.

DLA Town Planning returned with a second proposal after its initial plans were turned down by Watford Borough Council at the beginning of March.

Read more: Revised plans for former care home after council refuses first proposal

The council has accepted that the applicant has resolved an issue of overlooking on a neighbouring property with its revised plans. However, a council officer has highlighted concerns about "poor design quality" describing a rear extension as "boxy" and the development "overly bulky".

The decision dated May 16 also concluded the development would be "harmful" to the surrounding area.

Watford Observer: Screenshot of the initial proposal which would involve a rear extension to the new building. DLA says this has been reduced in size in light of the council's refusalScreenshot of the initial proposal which would involve a rear extension to the new building. DLA says this has been reduced in size in light of the council's refusal

During consultation, 16 objections were received including concerns about loss of privacy, light, and a care home, overdevelopment, and a lack of parking.

The four parking spaces proposed was considered "acceptable" by the council but other factors led to the overall decision to refuse the scheme.