Owners have been given permission to divide these eight properties in Watford into multiple homes.

With limited brownfield sites available and resistance to development in green spaces, intensifying the use of existing properties can be an easier route to providing more housing.

These buildings have been judged to provide suitable standards for future residents even after being split into multiple homes and have therefore gained planning permission, either from Watford Borough Council or at appeal this year.

16 Wiggenhall Road

16 Wiggenhall Road.16 Wiggenhall Road. (Image: Google Street View) Permission was granted for a house in Wiggenhall Road to be converted into two three-bedroom family homes in March.

The proposed work also involved a two-storey extension.

15 Glen Way

15 Glen Way.15 Glen Way. (Image: Google Street View) On January 2, Watford Borough Council granted permission for a garage to be converted into a habitable room in Glen Way.

This allowed the property as a whole to be converted into a four-bedroom home and a one-bedroom home. The smaller home was where the garage had been but also used what had been a utility room as a kitchen/dining area.

3A Amberley Terrace

3A Amberley Terrace (Image: Google Street View) The council granted permission for a two-bedroom house in Amberley Terrace to be extended to the rear to create room for conversion into a six-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) in October.

147A Chester Road

147a Chester Way.147a Chester Way. (Image: Google Street View) A Chester Way property previously designated as a single home can now be used as a six-bedroom HMO after the change was ruled to constitute a permitted development in August.

This meant it did not require full planning permission but did gain a lawful development certificate.

109a St Albans Road

Flat above Topaz in image (now Body Boutique) (Image: Google Street View) Permission was granted for a three-bedroom flat above shops in St Albans Road to be converted into a four-bedroom HMO as a permitted development in March.

18 Westland Road

18 Westland Road.18 Westland Road. (Image: Google Street View)

Watford Borough Council refused permission for a property in Westland Road to be converted from a six-bedroom HMO to a seven person HMO in March.

However a planning inspector overturned the decision in October after ruling that there would still be adequate space after a storage room was converted.

37 Holywell Road

The house (left) in Holywell Road. The house (left) in Holywell Road. (Image: Google Street View) Having rejected an application to convert a Holywell Road house into two four-bedroom flats while also turning the property next door into an eight-bedroom HMO earlier this year, Watford Borough Council approved a plan solely for the flats in November.

8 Kings Avenue

8 Kings Road.8 Kings Road. (Image: Google Maps) Permission to convert a Kings Avenue home into three flats was granted in April.

The proposal also included a two storey side extension and a single storey rear extension.