The MP for Hemel Hempstead has backed a campaign opposing plans to replace four houses in a road with a retirement village.

Mike Penning has slammed the 40-unit complex in Hempstead Road, Kings Langley, which is being proposed by developer McCarthy and Stone.

Dacorum Borough Council are set to make a ruling on the plans during the next couple of months, but neighbours who live nearby have been objecting for months.

Paul Rees, who lives in The Common, believes the plans will “ruin” the wildlife-rich conservation area at the site and has recently gained the support of the Conservative MP.

Mr Penning said: “I fully sympathise with the campaigners on this issue.

“To replace four houses with 40 is a big step up and is clearly overdevelopment in an area right adjacent to the beautiful and historically and environmentally significant conservation area.”

Mr Rees previously told the Observer: “It is a sad time for our village, as it has been confirmed that developers, McCarthy and Stone, have formally submitted their plans to cram 40 retirement homes on a green and wildlife-rich site next to the lower common conservation area, where currently there are just four homes.

“The development would also be the thin end of the wedge, in that it would accelerate Kings Langley's drift towards becoming a built up, urbanised area.”

A representative for McCarthy and Stone said in a statement that the homes will be “different”, as they will provide care and assistance throughout each day.

They said: We believe that our proposals would fill a gap in the market. Retirement living apartments encourage homeowners to continue living an active and independent life, whilst also enjoying the privacy they enjoyed in their previous homes.

“These homes are different to the older people’s housing in the area, including care homes, which provide daily assistance throughout the day. 

“The majority of homeowners moving into our developments already live in the area and are already using local services, such as the GP surgeries. As a result, there is unlikely to be a significant change in the number of new people signing up to local healthcare facilities."

“In addition, older people choosing to move into a retirement development generally frees up larger homes for families and helps first-time buyers to get on the housing ladder.”