Plans to build a care home for the elderly in Bushey have been thrown out by council bosses – to the delight of campaigners.

Hertsmere Borough Council’s Planning Committee rejected an application for a three storey 2,500sq metre care home that would stretch from Bushey Hall Road to Ashlyn Close.

A petition launched by neighbouring residents gained 330 signatures.

Bushey residents said the Abbeyfield development would cause traffic problems and "blight" the surrounding neighbourhood.

Councillor Leslie Winters said: "I'm over the moon that the plans have not been approved. Abbeyfield had not thought how the development of such a bulky building will affect the residents.

"The bulk and the closed-in-nature contribute nothing to the streetscape. In fact, in my opinion, and that of the residents, it would blight the neighbourhood.

"The mass of buildings, disguised as a care home to get round the parking regulations, is nothing more than a block of flats with restaurant facilities, institutional in appearance, with no thought or consideration to its neighbours."

Kiran Sharma of Ashlyn Close attended the meeting along with about 67 other residents. He said: "It’s a nice place and we like it as it is.

“There were so many issues with the proposed plans and it should never have been allowed to go this far."

Many councillors raised concerns about the size of the proposed care home as well as the lack of car parking for workers and visitors.

In the proposals, ten parking spaces were allocated for the complex.

The plan was refused by a majority of members on Thursday night.

Richard Virr from developers Abbeyfield said: "We're obviously disappointed the planning committee rejected this application for much needed specialist accommodation for Bushey's older people, especially as officers were so strongly in support.

“We shall now be considering our options for the site."