A care company has been told "get on" with the development of the former Royal Mail delivery office site in Kings Langley by a councillor for the village.

Plans to demolish the old Royal Mail office, in High Street, and build a new care home were approved by Dacorum Borough Council in January last year.

But Conservative councillor, Alan Anderson has voiced frustration at the slow pace of progress and called on B&M Care Homes get a move on or put the building back up for sale.

He said: "In my opinion, they have been extremely slow in developing the site.

"I think they should get on with developing it or offer it to the rival bidder in the last bidding process or they should put it back on the market."

B&M has planned a new 36-bedroom home for the elderly erected along the High Street.

The site is currently being used as a fitness centre but permission to use the site as a gymnasium is due to expire later this year.

Dacorum granted B&M permission to use the site as fitness centre for two years in October 2012.

Three years ago, Dacorum Borough Council, Kings Langley Parish Council and Howarth Homes PLC drew up plans to create a museum, new parish council offices and accommodation on site.

But this proposal was not submitted because the consortium could not afford to buy the site during the bidding process and it was subsequently bought by B&M.

The planning application for the new care home was submitted in October 2012. 

Councillor Anderson, who was involved in the plans to create a museum in the village added: "It was a beautiful plan but we did not have enough to buy it in the first place.

"It was gut wrenching when I found out we had not got it.

"I think it is the next best thing. If we can’t have something that can be used by everyone right in the middle of the High SWtreet, then fine, this is the next best thing."

The care home would be built by Maynecol Services Limited and B&M expect construction to start within a year.

Watford Observer:

Former delivery office in Kings Langley. Picture by Jessica Hearn.

Angela Hunt, marketing manager at B&M: "This building is currently being put to community use. A local martial arts gym is using the building rent free until such time that B&M Care can develop the site into a much needed residential and dementia care home for the elderly.  

"The planning appears still active with Dacorum because the final discharge of planning conditions, which have been submitted by B&M Care, have not yet been approved.

"We expect that we will be able to start our new development in about a years’ time."