Plans to convert a three-bedroom home into a house in multiple occupation (HMO) have been refused by Watford Borough Council's planning committee.

The application would have seen a double storey-side extension added to 21 Crown Rise, raising the home's capacity to six bedrooms.

Parking spaces for four cars were included in the plan, with the home currently featuring just one.

A lack of suitable access to public transport and other amenities was cited as a reason for the refusal.

The committee also stated that it did not believe that the proposed development would "function well and add to the overall quality of the area".

Watford Observer: The existing and proposed elevations of the Crown Rise property.The existing and proposed elevations of the Crown Rise property. (Image: Watford Borough Council / Studio 44)

A total of 23 public comments were made to the application prior to its refusal, with one Crown Rise resident writing: "I would like to to object this proposal on the basis that it does not fit in with the rest of the road.

"The increase of occupants this will bring will affect parking in the street where we already struggle with additional cars in the road, and there is also a concern with the amount of extra rubbish/waste this will incur by the additional people in the property."

Another resident of the road expressed concerns over the safety of children in the area.

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They wrote: "Crown Rise is, and always has been, a small quiet safe haven for families with a safe space for children to play and decent sized family homes - which people stay in for many years - and has become a good and safe community to live in.

"I believe that this type of property is not in keeping with the character and ambiance of the street and will take away future generations' ability to own such family homes.

Watford Observer: The proposed and exhisting roof elevations for the property.The proposed and exhisting roof elevations for the property. (Image: Watford Borough Council / Studio 44)

"Notwithstanding the addition risks of traffic to the children who do play here currently."

The refused application can be viewed online using reference 23/00827/FUL on Watford Borough Council's planning portal: www.watford.gov.uk/planning-building-control/search-planning-applications-watford.