Plans to build a major housing development on the Crossways and Eric Shepherd Unit in Abbots Langley have been resubmitted and scaled down.

Initial proposals by Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to demolish Crossways and the Eric Shepherd Unit to make way for accommodation have now been reduced to 12 houses and eight affordable flats.

Following a Three Rivers Council planning committee meeting at the end of last month developers took on board 13 objections from residents and have amended plans along with the submission of outline plans to change the entrance to the site.

Although Leavesden councillor, Stephen Giles-Medhurst has been strongly opposed to the plans he welcomed the improved application.

The Liberal Democrat councillor said: "The plans have been improved and are more acceptable than the original plans.

"However we are still concerned about the effect on Harlech Road and Woodside Road because the site would be cramped and positioned direct to a rural lane.

"We welcome change and await further improvements which are needed."

The Crossways, in Sunnyside is part of the old Leavesden hospital and original plans for 14 homes and 10 flats were first met with strong opposition from residents in Woodside Road and Harlech Road because of parking concerns, confined space and conserving the site’s history.

Developers also took on advice from the committee which included details of access and council concerns regarding the indicative heights, scale, density and parking.

A condition was also introduced regarding retention of the public footpath from Harlech Road to Woodside Road through the site.

Leavesden ward councillor, Keith Williams said: "Residents are not against plans to build houses because they understand it is an old NHS site that needs to be sold, which is perfectly suitable for housing.

"However it is the monstrosity of the block of the flats and the cramped nature of the development that residents are against.

"This includes the large and ugly flats block, which will include a blank brick wall close to the rear of properties in Harlech Road, the inadequacy of car parking on the site, which could lead to overspill into local roads and road safety issues, particularly on Woodside Road."

Councillor Williams added he hoped a future detailed plan would be in keeping with the local area, does not cause parking and road safety problems or is unsightly to residents.