It is the last day for the public to officially comment on a proposal to increase a St Albans housing estate by 16 homes.

Persimmon Homes has applied to increase the number of homes on land which formerly belonged to the school by 16.

This would bring the total number of homes in the Kingsbury Gardens estate, off Oakwood Drive, to 91.

Members of the public can respond to the consultation on the proposals until tomorrow (September 14).

Oakwood Drive resident Prakash Mistry said: “The increase will exacerbate the burden on our local schools, especially when you add in the development of some 300 houses on land at Oaklands College. The increase in houses will place greater burden on local amenities and professional support providers such as doctors, dentists and hospitals.

“The proposed increase will in fact reduce the actual size of gardens and open spaces in the development – an environmental issue.

“Ultimately the over-development of the former playing fields at Beaumont School will be of no benefit to the local area, neighbourhood, or schools, but appears to be of benefit of a purely commercial nature to the developer.”

Fellow Oakwood Drive resident Anthony Cooper said: “I am concerned that the size of the gardens and open spaces will be reduced, impoverishing the relatively spacious feel found in neighbouring roads. My garden backs on to the site, and from what I have seen of the houses built so far their gardens will be far from generous as it is.”

In Persimmon Homes’ covering letter, planning manager David Moseley writes: “[The scheme seeks] a broader mix of housing, including family houses and starter homes, which is more aligned to local housing needs.

“It also makes a more efficient use of the site, which assists in meeting the pressing need for homes in the local area, including affordable housing.”

The proposal includes plans for six affordable homes.

To see and comment on the plans, visit St Albans council’s website and search for planning reference 5/2018/2080.