A planning application to build a four bedroom house in the garden of a pub in Letchmore Heath has been rejected.

The Three Horseshoes, in The Green, was listed as an asset of community value last May, which will be in place for five years.

Owners Carol Thornton and Garry Dunks put forward a bid to build a four bedroom house in November, but Hertsmere Borough Council has rejected the application based on the size of the development and the fact it is on Green Belt land.

The decision notice read: "The Three Horseshoes is the only pub in Letchmore Heath and is a key community facility. The loss of the beer garden would likely impact upon the future viability of the pub and ultimately could harm this key community facility."

Planners also said the proposal would be detrimental to the character and visual amenity of the area.

Mr Drunks said he has taken the application to appeal, and will "keep fighting" to have the application approved.

He believes the development will make the pub more viable in the future.

Carol Thornton said: "We have put in an application to build a new house to make the pub more viable in the future.

"This would provide a lot of opportunities including possibly opening a bed and breakfast, or accommodation for the pub’s managers."

The application received 15 objections online.