A BID to develop a village pub into flats and houses has been blocked because of the density of the development and the lack of garden space. St Albans district councillors at a planning committee meeting last week rejected the application to turn the Kin

A BID to develop a village pub into flats and houses has been blocked because of the density of the development and the lack of garden space.

St Albans district councillors at a planning committee meeting last week rejected the application to turn the King's Head in High Street, London Colney, into eight two-bedroom flats, four three-bedroom houses and one five-bedroom house, with a total of 22 parking spaces between them.

Planning officers had recommended approval pointing out that the building was not listed and there were plenty of other pubs in London Colney whereas the need for housing was more important.

But councillors turned down the development on the grounds that the site would be over-developed and there would not be enough garden space for the residents living in the flats.

Speaking after the meeting, committee member Cllr Chris Flynn said the prospect of residents living in the flats with no garden to sit out in if it was sunny was unacceptable.

Councillors also felt that it was a very big development to squeeze onto a relatively-small site.