Plans to build on the land of the Patchetts Green Equestrian Centre, Aldenham, was given planning permission last night by Hertsmere Borough Council’s planning committee.

The plans, submitted by developers Heronslea, for demolition of the former equestrian centre and to build 46 new homes was approved by the council despite objections by residents.

According to planning officers there had been two previous efforts to develop on the site.

Planning manager for Heronslea, Simon Warner, spoke at the planning meeting and said: “The first application we submitted was for 63 homes but we have now reduced the number down to 46.

“The development will have 166 car parking spaces, gardens and village green.”

Mr Warner urged the committee to grant permission to for the development.

Community advocate Cllr Kashif Merchant spoke on behalf of the residents hoping to reject the application.

He said: “Patchetts Green is a small hamlet with under 100 houses with no local amenities or schools nearby.

“The application should be rejected.”

A number of cllrs including Cllrs Seamus Quilty and Thomas Ash agreed there was no reason to refuse the application.

However Cllr Jane West, who voted against the application, said: “We are increasing this village by 50 per cent.

“If this application was to increase Bushey by 50 per cent we would refuse it. We are not taking this very seriously.”

The development by Heronslea was given planning permission.

Paul Kemple, chairman of the Aldenham Conservation Society, said: “We are very disappointed with the decision.

“Traffic in the area is already bad and it will only get worse with the development.

“We are pleased we managed to get the development down from 63 houses to 46.”