Plans to build 40 retirement homes in place of four Kings Langley cottages have been slated at a public meeting.

Proposals have been put forward by developer McCarthy and Stone to demolish the four homes in Hempstead Road and replace them with a “specialist form of housing that would help to meet an identified and growing need in the area”.

Campaigner Paul Rees, who chaired the well-attended meeting, told residents that the conservation area was at risk from the “out of character” development.  

READ MORE: Campaign to stop plans to replace four Kings Langley cottages with 40 retirement homes

“The proposal to cram in 40 retirement homes just next to the lower common conservation area – on a site where there are currently just four homes – has caused shock and dismay across the village. It has caused upset and consternation,” he said.  

“The developers are circling around the green spaces of our village and want to make a fast buck.

“If we don’t act soon, as a community, the character of our village will change for good.”

He argued that the plans would lead to overdevelopment, harm the character of the lower common conservation area, threaten wildlife, increase parking problems, and add to the burden on local services.

Ali Maruf, regional managing director for McCarthy and Stone (North London Region), said: “Our plans would provide a specialist form of housing that would help to meet an identified and growing need in the area. 

“The development is adjoining a conservation area and McCarthy and Stone will ensure that the setting will not be harmed as the building will be in keeping with the buildings in the conservation area.

“We are also currently undertaking an ecology report, which will provide us with all the information to minimise the impact on surrounding ecology, as we intend to retain the leafy feel of the area.”