CONSERVATION groups are fuming after Watford Council failed to consult them over plans to build a row of houses next to one of the borough's premier nature reserves.

Despite widespread opposition, the council granted planning permission on Tuesday for the building of five houses on land to the rear of Gade Avenue, which backs out on to the Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in Cassiobury Park.

Only a "few metres" will separate the new houses' back gardens from the LNR, which was officially opened last month by Civic Mayor Sheila Jones.

As a designated Wildlife Site, the LNR is home to countless animals including water voles, woodpeckers, badgers, deer, frogs, snakes and pipistrelle bats a protected species.

Mr Malcolm Sniders of Gade Avenue, told the development control committee: "Any development would result in disturbance to the birds and mammals.

"Once these changes are in place, they can't be reversed."

Labour Councillor Rashid Choudhrey asked the committee's planning officers why there had not been an independent environmental study into the application.

"It's no good taking the developers' word," he said. "The onus is on them to prove to us that their plans can accommodate any displaced animals."

But developers Rice Construction assured councillors the houses would not affect wildlife.

They argued that they had met all of the council's planning guidelines, including a contribution of £21,000 towards open space, children's playspace and new cycle routes for the borough.

The committee approved the application by five votes to four.

July 12, 2002 12:30