A planning application to build two large houses in Radlett was refused after neighbours claimed it would be "overbearing".

Developer David Sullivan wanted to bulldoze a detached home in Christchurch Crescent and replace it with two, two-storey, detached six bedroom houses.

Both homes would include rooms in the loft and the basement and would share an entrance.

More than 60 residents sent in letters of objections to Hertsmere Borough Council.

They claimed that the proposed houses would be over dominant and disproportionate in scale to the size of the other dwellings in Christchurch Crescent, making it out of character with the street scene.

Philip Haberman, spoke on behalf of the Radlett residents against the application at the planning committee meeting on Thursday, February 12.

He said: "This is the second over-sized development that has been submitted for this site.

"There are several key issues that we object to. The first is the application is for a four storey, not two storey buildings and the design of the crown roofs disguise the bulkiness of the houses.

"The houses will be over bearing - there will be up eight meter higher because it sits near the top of the hill and will look into the houses in Aldenham Avenue.

"Also, clearing the front to make room for driveway is going to have a harmful effect on the trees."

During the debate, councillor John Graham spoke about how the height of the proposed buildings will tower over the street, which in turn will have an impact on the neighbouring properties and the street scene.

The council unanimously refused to grant planning permission for the proposal on the basis that it height, size and bulk of the houses would not be in keeping with the character of area.

Resident of Christchurch Crescent, Dennis Sandor said afterwards: "We are very pleased that the council refused the application - they worked hard to justify exactly why this building should not be built and it is the right decision."