Developers have won permission to build 52 sheltered flats in Watford, in the face of furious opposition from residents and councillors.

McCarthy and Stone will build the part-two story, part-three storey development, which will include a manager's apartment, communal facilities and car parking, in place of five homes on the corner of The Avenue and Alexandra Road, after a planning inspector approved the development on Wednesday.

It had previously been rejected twice by Watford Borough Council's Development Control Committee - once in December 2007 and September 2008.

Frank Neale, who led the residents' year-long fight against the “architectural monstrosity”, described the appeal decision as a “travesty for local democracy”.

The 58-year-old business coach, who lives in The Avenue, said: “The Inspector has attached little weight to anything residents or locally elected officials have said.

“I've spoken to a number of people who are shocked or deeply deeply disappointed and pretty angry.

“It will look like a dog's breakfast. It's the sheer size and bulk of it that affects the appearance of the whole street. It will go from looking like a street of family homes to look more like Clarendon Road with big institutional buildings. When it's finished I will be looking at some architectural disaster that will look a little strange in our street.”

Watford Borough Councillors in Nascot were also united in their opposition to the development.

Councillor Andrew Forrest said: “It's going to affect The Avenue – one of the few roads that retains any character. Local residents won't be best pleased. They've already had a taste of it in Hempstead Road (where another McCarthy and Stone development is under construction). To have this monolith dumped on them is not a happy prospect.”

Councillor Andrew Mortimer, who lives in The Avenue, blamed council planning officers who twice recommended the development for approval.

He said: “Officers more or less predetermined it because they said it could be built. They took more impression from Government requirements that the people who live in the area. They made a disgraceful decision to recommend it.

“The one thing the planners did say correctly was it's going to be a focal point. It's going to be a carbuncle in The Avenue and not much better in terms of Alexandra Road.

“It's going to alter the character of the street and will form a precedent, despite what officers say.”

Councillor Mark Watkin added: “It's extremely disappointing. It makes a mockery of local democracy. It's totally inappropriate and the fact the law allows it doesn't make it any better.”

The only means of appeal against the Planning Inspector's decision is to launch a judicial review, which Councillor Forrest described as a “long and expensive road”. But Mr Neale said: “There's no case to do that.”

Anne French, a representative of McCarthy and Stone said: “We are delighted with the appeal decision and it's particularly gratifying that the inspector has endorsed our view that there is a need for retirement housing in Watford, both now and in the future.

"As regards the design of the building, the inspector agreed that it is in accordance with local planning policy and Government guidelines, as well as the guidelines of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE).

"The inspector's report also states that the building will not be significantly higher than nearby houses and that the density of the development will be an efficient and appropriate use of land.

"It is our view and that of the planning inspector that the new development will not harm the character of the area, especially as the front of the building has been designed to reflect the style pattern of houses along The Avenue."