A bid to turn garages and a patch of lawn into housing on the Meriden estate has been withdrawn following resistance from residents – for the time being.

People living on Garmouth Way and Gadswell Close complained that the development, proposed by Watford Community Housing Trust, would be cramped and aggravate an already dangerous and overcrowded parking situation. Last year the trust applied to Watford Borough Council to demolish the row of garages in Gadswell Close and build a three-bedroom home as well as four-room property on the site.

The project was also met with complaint about a lack of consultation from residents who would be affected by it.

This week the trust withdrew its planning application, saying the move was in response to the concerns people had voiced over the plan.

However opponents fear this could be only a temporary postponement in the trust's ambitions to develop the garages.

A letter sent to residents of Garmouth Way and Gadswell Close from the trust yesterday read: “We understand residents’ concerns about the potential impact on parking that this proposed development would have, and therefore decided to withdraw our planning application for the time being.”

Steve Moss, who uses one of the under-threat garages, said he was happy the potential demolition had been halted but still fearful the project would resume in the future.

He said: “I am happy in a way. I think they are taking a step back and they could come back again. In the letter they sent us they said if they come back again they will notify us by letter.”

The Gadswell Close plans are part of a wide ranging programme of turning old garage sites into homes being undertaken by the housing association.

Watford Community Housing Trust said it currently has around 1,600 garages on its land that could be knocked down to provide extra housing. Other areas were garages have been earmarked for development include the Croxley View estate in West Watford.

Gareth Lewis, director of property and new business at the trust, said the fact it had stalled its plans in Gadswell Close showed it was sensitive to the concerns of residents.

He said: “We present ourselves as a listening organisation and we are trying to walk the walk as well as talk the talk in that respect. We are looking at areas where we can provide extra homes. It is about using our assets to the best of our ability.”