Councillors have refused a developer’s application to demolish a property in Harpenden and replace it with four new homes.

Jarvis Homes wanted to knock down the house on Ox Lane and build four detached properties: one with four bedrooms and three with three bedrooms.

But members of St Albans district council’s Planning (Development Control) Committee North blocked the plans which they said amounted to over-development of the land.

In objecting to the plans they highlighted the car parking provision, which they said was inadequate for residents and visitors, and a loss of trees for a considerable amount of time.

Cllr Gillian Clark – who said it was sad that the trees would be removed – told the meeting she would prefer fewer houses on the site.

She said: “I think this is one or two too many. I can see there’s room for extra housing on the site because it is and that it’s a generous garden – but I feel it looks as though they are rather packed in.”

And Cllr David Heritage agreed, highlighting the possible problems bins could cause on the Ox Lane pavement on the day waste was collected.

“I agree with Cllr Clark,” he said. “I would have been happier with three houses on the site to give that little bit more space and indeed more area for turning and visitors or anything else .

“I realise in the commercial world they have to get the maximum they can out of it and that’s the situation we are left with.”

In contrast Cllr Mike Wakely said he was happy to see this development go-ahead.

A majority of the committee rejected the proposal, which was refused.