Politicians’ "deplorable" decision to throw out plans for a new Chorleywood play area has left residents and councillors determined to keep the designs until new parish representatives are elected next year.

Hertfordshire County Council’s deputy leader, councillor Chris Hayward, said he had some "harsh words" for Chorleywood Parish Council at the Local Area Forum on Monday.

His comments come after the parish council rejected plans to introduce a play area to The Common, after 13 planning committee members voted against the proposed development last week, with only three voting in favour.

At Monday’s meeting, which took place in The War Memorial Hall, in Common Road, Councillor Hayward said: "I do have harsh words for the parish council today.

"I respect that the parish council has the ability to reject the site within the community, but they have allowed thousands of pounds worth of your money to be spent by Three Rivers District Council."

He added: "I frankly think it’s deplorable that the parish should do that."

The conservative Chorleywood councillor said: "I think that the waste of public money and the way in which the survey views of the residents have been totally ignored by the parish council is a matter of huge regret."

Chairman of the meeting, Chorleywood West’s district councillor, Martin Trevett, moved to reassure residents that the district council have already set money aside and that "there’s an opportunity that we can just put the whole thing on hold".

Councillor Trevett said: "The money is safe certainly for another year. The money for a play area in Chorleywood is there for us."

He added: "There are a number of people that are not going to be standing again in the parish council elections next year. We can leave it on hold and come back and ask the next parish council what they think."

Committee member of the open spaces and policy and resources committee and vice chair of the planning committee, councillor Jacqueline Worrall, defended the parish council’s decision.

Councillor Worrall said: "We represent both sides to put it to just the satisfy one faction we would have been castigated by the other the council represents."

Last week’s meeting saw representations from Chorleywood Residents’ Association and Friends of the Common, with the former supporting the plans and the latter opposing them.

Councillor Worrall added: "It has split the community, that’s why I say it can’t be dead in the water because whatever happens you’re going to offend 50 per cent of the electorate."