A PLAN to build 12 houses on the site of a former garage in Sandridge has been refused again. The plan was to demolish existing buildings at 138 St Albans Road – the former Walker and Deekes garage - and build the mini-estate there. These would consist of

A PLAN to build 12 houses on the site of a former garage in Sandridge has been refused again.

The plan was to demolish existing buildings at 138 St Albans Road - the former Walker and Deekes garage - and build the mini-estate there.

These would consist of two three-bed homes, four two-bedroom homes and a staggered terrace of six homes.

Accommodation would be set out over two floors with a ridge height of 8.7 metres. A total of 22 car parking spaces would be provided

The previous application in 2006 was for 34 flats with basement parking on the site. This was refused on the grounds of its height, bulk and scale.

Members of St Albans District Council's plans (central) committee turned the latest scheme down on Monday night.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Janet Churchard said: "This development is not good enough. We would like to see a quality development there but this is not quite good enough."

Neighbours had objected on the grounds of it being out of keeping with its surroundings with insufficient parking, excessive heights and too bulky.

SADC's trees officers recommended refusal as the proposed parking bays to the rear are under the canopy of a protected oak tree.

The site is in an area designated as of archaeological interest in the district plan and part of the proposal may lie within or at least adjacent to the line of the Beech Bottom Dyke a major archaeological earthwork dating from the 1st century AD. This section of Beech Bottom Dyke is a scheduled ancient monument .