Residents and councillors have expressed their anger at a "bizarre" decision to grant permission for a block of flats on the site of a former Bushey pub.

Proposals to build a three-storey block of flats on the site of the former Otter Pub, in Bushey Mill Lane, were twice rejected by the Bushey and Aldenham planning committee, in September 2009 and June 2010.

But on the second appeal, planning inspectors overturned the committee's decision.

Councillor Roger Kutchinsky (Bushey North, Liberal Democrats) said: "I think it's a completely bizarre decision.

"I'm shocked and disappointed the planning inspector decided to overrule us. This is an example of us being dictated to by central government and it is a monstrosity."

Reasons for rejecting the plans included poor car parking facilities and lack of amenity space for occupants.

Local opposition stemmed from fears the large development would be out of character with the rest of the area, which mainly consists of one or two-storey houses.

Gerry McCormick, of Duncan Way, said: "We are very disappointed. We're realistic and accept that something has to be done to the site, but this is clearly an over-development.

"We fear that it will be a cheap job and turn the site into a dog's breakfast.”

In his report, government planning inspector Jeremy Youle concluded occupants would have adequate amenity space, and the proposal would not cause harm to the character of the area.

Councillor Seamus Quilty (Bushey Heath, Conservative), former chairman of Bushey and Aldenham planning committee, said: “I'm disappointed. I believe that the [original] committee dealt with this in a fair and open way, for the benefit of the whole community.”

Developers Shanly Homes Ltd will now go ahead with the build, previously described by members of the Bushey and Aldenham planning committee as "a gross over-development".

Councillor Kutchinsky added: “The inspector made a peculiar and incorrect decision. The problem is the government inspectors don't live or work in the area. They just make arbitrary decisions like this and we have to live with it.”

In a recent poll of 242 Watford Observer readers 198 agreed that residents should have greater say about housing development in their area.

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