Brick pillars and an access gate already built in Redbourn will have to be removed, as they have been deemed inappropriate development in the Green Belt by a planning inspector.

Retrospective planning approval was sought for the structures built on land at the junction of Dunstable Road and Luton Lane.

However the planning inspectorate has recently rejected a bid to overturn a decision by St Albans district council, which had refused the pillars and gate because they were “obtrusive”.

Redbourn parish council had objected to the scheme.

The inspectorate was told by the appellants, Mr and Mrs Reddan, that the gate was not a precursor to residential development on the site, a “traditional” agricultural field.

But the planning inspectorate dismissed the retrospective scheme, concluding it had a harmful impact on the Green Belt’s openness.