A plannning appeal has been lodged over a controversial modern house earmarked for a historic street in St Albans.

It comes after St Albans district council (SADC) failed to determine the outcome of an application from Oakbridge Homes for a four bedroom house in Fishpool Street within the statutory time period.

But a council spokeswoman said they would have refused it as it would be incongruous and visually incompatible with the street scene which features a number of Grade II listed buildings.

In addition to the appeal the developers have also submitted a second application, which has angered residents who now have to resubmit their objections.

Neighbour Joanna Swire said: “I don’t want to sound like a conspiracy theorist but I am very concerned that this application is going to sneak in “via the back door” and be granted whilst they think no one is looking.”

Since the second application has been submitted it has received over 30 objections. Residents have until next Wednesday to add a comment.

Martin Hemmings, managing director of Oakbridge Homes, previously said he could understand people might be concerned about the building process of the eco-friendly home, which would take on average 38 weeks to construct, but that he was happy to meet with anyone concerned to talk the proposals through further.