Residents in north Bushey are "horrified" about plans to build a new gas-fuelled electricity generation plant on Green Belt land.

UK Power Reserve Limited submitted an application earlier this month, to Hertsmere Borough Council, to build the power station on land opposite their existing pumping station on Berry Grove Lane.

The plans propose to build a "small scale" standby station, which will operate through a series of gas-fuelled engine generators and the site will be screened by a three metre high steel palisade security fence.

The deadline for people to comment on these proposals has been extended to Thursday, October 16.

Mick and Lisa Gomez, who own Berry Grove Lodge, a bed and breakfast situated just metres away from the development site, are leading a 'say no to the power station' campaign. So far there have been more than 1,000 wrtitten objections from residents within the area, and 70 complaint letters sent to the council.

Jay Harold, 59, of Park Avenue Bushey, said: "Nobody has been informed about this development, and I was only made aware of it last weekend when a lady came knocking on our door and told us about it.

"I was horrified."

Mrs Harold, who has lived in Bushey since she was 24, added: "They have not thought about the effect this will have on the community. Our properties will be devalued and the fumes from the power plant will have an impact on people who suffer from lung conditions like me. And that's just the start."

Residents are arguing that the development will have a significant effect on the wildlife there. Lisa, 49, said: "In the last 20 years, this area has suffered greatly from industrial development, most notably the building of the A408.

"But in recent years wildlife has started to return to the area because of constant careful management by the current residents. Badgers have been the most noticeable animal to have been seen grazing in the field of the proposed site.

"And there is also a thriving bat haven close to the site. Recently, one of the pillar boxes was adapted to encourage the breading of the species and it has had enormous success. Bird boxes have been put up too and we have seen barn owls and herons coming into the areas."

Residents are also concerned by the fact that the development site, which will take up three quaters of an acre, is in floodplain land.

Lisa's daughter, Charlotte Gomez, who has also been helping out with the campaign, said existing similar developments have required masses of concrete and hard standing, and if that is done on this site, it will reduce the amount of rain water that is absorbed.

She said: "The floods we had in February this year are still fresh in everyone's mind. If this development goes ahead, then it is likely to lead to increased volumes of water and it could result in Watford's Lower High Street to flood even more frequently than it does now."

Richard Harrington, MP for Watford, added: “Watford residents are also angry about this, and quite understandably.

"Hertsmere wrote to two homes near the proposed site, but none on the Tudor or along Radlett Road where many residents also have concerns about these plans for their nearby greenbelt.

"Hertsmere did confirm last week that they are now accepting expressions of interest from Watford residents, so I would urge those with concerns to contribute to the consultation before Thursday and help spread the word.”

Watford Mayor, Dorothy Thornhill, who asked for the extension said: “I am utterly disappointed that our neighbours in Hertsmere did not feel the need to inform us about the development sooner. We were only notified about it on Friday.

“It will affect my residents in Tudor the most, who are very angry about it, as it was only through the Watford grapevine that they found out about it."