Dozens of St Albans families in temporary housing will finally get a permanent roof over the heads after plans for new affordable flats were approved.

The building of 28 flats on Valley Road was approved by St Albans council’s planning referrals committee on Monday (4).

Housing portfolio holder Cllr Brian Ellis said: “I am very pleased with the news.

“We did a public consultation last year, and there was a generally positive response from neighbours and people living nearby.”

There had been several representations made to the council about the size and parking at the development.

The Cannell family from Beech Road wrote: “If the development were to proceed, it would have a very significant and negative impact on the whole family.

“The garden, patio area, kitchen, and master bedroom would all be overlooked and our privacy compromised.”

Neighbour Jane Boff wrote: “28 spaces for 28 apartments seems well short of the parking spaces needed, and there is no visitor parking.”

Ultimately no changes were made to the parking or size, however the developer, Aldwyck housing group, must give £35,000 to local projects.

St Albans library, Bernards Heath play area, and the new museum and gallery will all benefit from the money.

Aldwyck said earlier this week: “Given the former accommodation on the site was an under-utilised sheltered housing scheme, the local authority was keen to meet current affordable housing needs in any redevelopment, so Aldwyck proposed a 100 per cent affordable tenure.

“We have worked closely with St Albans council to ensure our development meets the requirements of both planning and housing.”

Potential tenants can put in a bid for housing through a choice-based lettings site.

The council expects people to start moving in to the flats in January.

Affordable housing on Batchwood and Sandridge garage sites is also expected to be completed next year.

Cllr Ellis said: “Valley Road is another of our projects, and we expect a couple more to be completed next year.

“I went to Batchwood last week, and that is going really well.”