HOUSES in a Watford road will be demolished to make room for a block of flats, despite objections from residents who say the development will spoil the street.

Properties at 87 to 89 King George's Avenue in Watford will be knocked down and 12 one and two-bed flats will be put up, after council planning bosses granted permission to developers this week.

The application followed an earlier proposal submitted in July 2004, which was refused because it was deemed "dominant and overbearing".

Planning officer Paul Baxter said the new plan was a lot better. He said: "Significant changes have been made. There has been removal of the three-storey elements, re-siting of the block, and it has reduced the scale and bulk. There have been changes to the design which have resulted in a building that is more in keeping with the character of the other buildings."

He added the re-designed building had overcome the previous reasons for refusal and said there would be no adverse impact on other buildings in the street.

However, the council received 20 letters of objection from concerned residents.

Resident Peter Shallcross said the issues raised previously had not been addressed. He said: "The proposed building is still three times the size of the existing buildings and has a roof line which is higher than the surrounding houses."

Councillor Iain Sharpe said the application should be allowed. He said: "We are not here to offer a community veto on applications. We are here to determine this in accordance with our district plan."

But Councillor Maria Green said: "Other buildings in King George's Avenue are not so prominent. I do feel West Watford has suffered with a lot of buildings around. I think the infrastructure sooner or later is going to collapse. West Watford is already over-populated and very cramped."

The application was allowed.