A green technology company CEO's plans for an eco house in Bovingdon have been criticised for being on the Green Belt.

A revised scheme to develop an eco house in Flaunden Lane, Bovingdon has prompted objections and concern people living nearby about the destruction of protected land.

Dr Ian Mays, who currently lives in Chipperfield and works in renewable energy as chief executive of Kings Langley-based RES, has submitted an application to develop a zero-carbon home on land in Ten Oaks Farm.

Matt Cannon, whose house neighbours the site, said: "Although the council is giving consideration to the environmental credentials of the house, the proposal as submitted would set an alarming precedent for large new houses on Green Belt farm land and where the presumption exists against "inappropriate development" as reaffirmed in the newly published National Planning Policy Framework in March 2012."

He added: "This application goes against Local and National Policy protecting Green Belt, but is pushed forward by Dr. Mays based on claimed eco credentials which are partly based on support provided by RES."

The plans will involve the demolition of a double storey seven bedroom dwelling, garage and out buildings and the erection of a new five bedroom dwelling with a one bedroom annex and external outbuildings, including a garage.

Patrick Kalverboer, who also neighbours the site, said: "Although I would not see the house from my own property, the proposal clearly flaunts the protection of Green Belt farmland and is therefore against both National Policy and the Local Plan Policy which limits the size of replacement dwellings."

Mr Cannon has attempted to make contact with Dacorum Borough Council planning officers but he said "they are refusing to speak to us".

He said: "Only one has had the decency to respond."

Mr Cannon spoke to Dr Mays about the development and said Dr Mays was "very forthright that he wouldn’t be willing to compromise at all".

Martin Leay, an Environmental Planning Consultant, said: "The proposal is to site the replacement dwelling in open farm land behind the residential curtilage of the existing property and would significantly reduce the openness of the Green Belt.

"As such the proposal is wholly contrary to policy and nor is there any basis for swapping a residential plot with a site on open, Green Belt farm land."