A set of Watford bungalows, which were built in the 1930s to house wounded First World War veterans, has been recognised with protected architectural status.

Politicians on Watford Borough Council’s cabinet voted unanimously to make Macdonnell Gardens in Leavesden a conservation area at a meeting last night (Monday).

Proposals to protect the 12-home development, off the A405, came about after the council carried out the Watford Character Area Study, which looked at the town’s architectural heritage.

Since the close was built in the early 1930s it has remained place for disabled and wounded members of the armed forces and their families.

At the meeting town planners said the development’s military heritage was literally built into it with a flag and commemorative plaques dotted around the area.

As a result officers said the area was worth preserving a “simple but dignified form of inter-war architecture”.

Councillors were told that the plan to turn it into a conservation area had initially been met with some resistance from residents and the military housing association Haig Homes, which worried it could hinder future work.

However the cabinet heard that council planning officers had persuaded most that new status would not affect work to the close as long as it was in line with its architectural character.

Ian Sharpe, the Liberal Democrat portfolio holder for planning legal and property, said Macdonnell Gardens was a unique part of the town that merited protection.

He said: “It is something unique in the town and deserving of having its character preserved.”

Ian Brown, the Liberal Democrat councillor for the Woodside area where the development is based, added: “It remains a place for disabled ex-military officers and it is a very interesting area.

“I have spoken to nearly all the residents, and initially there was some split, but most wanted the conservation area.”