Neighbours have complained that plans to replace a pub with 33 flats will cause “nightmare” parking problems near their homes.

Three Rivers Homes is embarking on its inaugural development to build “much-needed” houses in South Oxhey, after approval was granted at a Three Rivers planning committee meeting on September 14.

The Grapevine pub, in Prestwick Road, Watford will be pulled down and replaced with flats as a result of a new joint venture between Watford Community Housing’s commercial development arm, Clarendon Living, and Three Rivers District Council.

A three-storey block will contain 20 two-bedroom and nine one-bedroom flats, and a two-storey block will hold four two-bedroom apartments, with additional parking spaces adjoining the new development.

However, people who live nearby have raised concerns that the development will “disturb” the nature and cause and traffic congestion.

Adam Wong, who lives in Bramley Gardens, in South Oxhey, fears the forest area surrounding his home will be chopped down.

He said: “The development will directly over look my back garden. Having a car park or potentially a large quantities of flat directly looking the boundary line into my garden and house does not really appeal

“Getting rid of a portion of the woods would also be quite disturbing. No one should be removing the local forest in order to gain this amount of flats.

“Having this number of flats also puts strain to road as this is one of the very few exits out of South Oxhey to get to various places towards Northwood. Getting around the base at peak times is already difficult.”

Another resident, who also lives in Bramley Gardens but was not named, added: “Parking in Bramley Gardens is already a nightmare at times.”

A spokesperson for Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) believes the decision will result in only one pub remaining in the area.

They said: “CAMRA believes well-run pubs are important community assets that are increasingly vulnerable to development.

“If the Grapevine and the Ox are both lost to development that would leave the Dick Whittington as the only pub on the estate, so three out of four pubs in South Oxhey will have closed in the space of 10 years.”

Gareth Lewis, group director of Partnerships for Watford Community Housing, said: “The redevelopment of the Grapevine pub will deliver 33 new homes in South Oxhey and will be a great benefit to the local community, providing homes for those most in need and helping would-be homeowners onto the housing ladder.

“We are committed to forging effective partnerships with local organisations and identifying innovative solutions that allow us to deliver the homes we so desperately need. The formation of Three Rivers Homes is a key step towards achieving this goal.”

Cllr Sara Bedford, Leader of Three Rivers District Council, said: “This is a strong working relationship with Watford Community Housing, which will lead to much-needed affordable homes to buy and rent.

“We look forward to continuing this relationship on future sites to provide more homes for our residents.”