Councillors have refused plans that would have seen 12 new bedrooms installed across two converted properties near Watford General Hospital.

SFP Planning had earmarked 37 and 39 Holywell Road for an application to alter the layout of both properties to increase their capacity.

Number 39 was proposed to become an eight-bedroom HMO, while number 37 was to be subdivided into two flats each containing four bedrooms. 

The application was refused by Watford Borough Council on Tuesday, September 9, following several objections from authorities.

The joint properties sit on Holywell Road near Watford General Hospital and Vicarage Road.The joint properties sit on Holywell Road near Watford General Hospital and Vicarage Road. (Image: Google Maps) Following an inspection, the Hertfordshire Constabulary said they were “unable to support the application” given the lack of detail, and that construction work was allegedly "ongoing".

They also noted that the existing use of the property may be a guest house - supported by Google Maps, which registers 37 Holywell Road as a guest property. 

In regard to the proposed large HMO at number 39, the council said: “By virtue of the lack of privacy, lack of light, lack of outlook and low ceiling heights to many of the rooms it fails to provide high quality living conditions for future occupiers.”

The conversion at number 37 was refused due to low ceiling height creating “cramped conditions”, and the property alteration would have also contributed to the "loss of family homes within the borough".

Both properties have been subject to seven planning applications in the last year.