Plans have been resubmitted to turn a shop into a two-bedroom house after they were blocked for the second time.

Proposals submitted twice under permitted development to convert The Upholstery Workshop, 1 Orbital Crescent, were rejected by Watford Borough Council on March 8 and January 22.

The applicant has now lodged a full planning application with the council after it said the proposed building works to the front and rear facades were not allowed under permitted development rules.

Homeowners are generally allowed to make minor changes to their property under permitted development, but must apply to the council to check if prior approval is needed.

Full planning permission is needed to make major alterations such as changing the building side which faces the street.

The applicant responded to previous refusal reasons by adding more storage space and showing that the unit had been empty since May last year.

They argued that the street would see less traffic and noise if it was converted to housing, as it had created “almost constant noise” during working hours.

The street only has one shop left, after the The Upholstery Workshop closed in May 2023 after 27 years due to lack of demand.