A village could be "destroyed" if plans to build a hotel and food store are given the go ahead.

At a public exhibition in October, 328 people living in Radlett opposed plans to build a Travelodge and Marks and Spencer on Newberries car park, in Watling Street.

Hertsmere Borough council argued the development would reinvigorate the village, but residents and campaigners said Radlett did not need a hotel and the supermarket would cause local traders to lose business.

They also feared how the development would impact traffic and said the buildings were not in keeping with the village. They argued the council was more interested in making money than improving the area.

Bill Grimsby, chairman of campaign group The Residents Against Newberries Car Park Scheme (TRACKS), said: “This scheme has been produced to fill a gap in the council’s annual budget – the majority of their shortfall will be met by this scheme.

“8,000 Radlett residents will have their village destroyed for the short-term benefit of 100,0000 residents in Hertsmere.

“TRACKS is committed to getting this scheme stopped.”

Campaigners said they feared for the future of the high street and questioned why an eighty-room hotel was needed when there is a Premier Inn a mile away.

Members of TRACKS added that car parking spaces would be lost because of the development but the council argue it will create more.

Hertsmere Borough councillor John Graham, cabinet member for finance and property, said: "We recently held two public exhibition events to show the current designs for the proposed development of Newberries car park. More than 400 people submitted their views and feedback about the proposals.

“Where possible and appropriate, those views will be incorporated into the final design that is put forward for planning permission. We received a very diverse range of views and several people commented favourably about the scheme, the opportunity it would bring to regenerate this site and about the design.

“This is an important scheme for Radlett, aiming to improve existing car park provision on the site and to develop a premium food retail store and hotel above the car park.

"TRACKS is opposed to any development of the car park but the site is in considerable need of improvement.

"The scheme would reinvigorate the south end of the village and give a real boost to the local economy by creating jobs and bring more footfall to the high street, which is currently struggling. It’s estimated that the development will bring 85 full or part-time locally employed jobs."