A DECISION on whether to knock down a Watford building and replace it with a 17-bed hostel for the homeless is due to be made on Tuesday.

Council bosses will decide whether the former light industrial unit at 1A Bruce Grove should be demolished to make room for the hostel, despite letters of objection from nearly every house in the street.

Resident David Clarkson said: "The proposed development has no provision for off-street parking within an area that already has serious parking problems, especially at night when it is necessary to park on the double yellow lines, both at the top of the streets and on the corners with the junctions with Bradshaw Road."

Residents also think the proposed hostel would be out of character with the rest of the street.

The proposed three-storey building would provide "move-on" accommodation for 17 residents, as well as communal facilities and a small courtyard. It is expected the residents would come from the Watford YMCA or other hostels in the town.

According to a council report: "The development is considered to make an efficient use of an existing industrial site that is now vacant."

The application will be discussed by the development control committee at Watford Borough Council this Tuesday.