Villagers despaired as plans to build 100 homes next to a care home for wheelchair-bound people were approved last night.

Developers Crest Nicholson will rebuild the existing buildings at the Building Research Establishment site, in Bucknalls Drive, Bricket Wood, with associated access from The Kestrels in the neighbouring road.

More than 50 neighbours turned up in protest to a St Albans Planning Referrals Committee meeting last night, however committee members found no reasonable grounds to refuse the proposals to use the The Kestrels as the main entrance and exit to the development.

After the meeting, John Roy, the acting chairman of the Bricket Wood Residents Association, expressed his dismay at extra “noise pollution and traffic congestion” in the cul-de-sac where the HSN Care Home provides support to 12 disabled young people.

He said: “Sadly there is nothing the residents association can do to prevent this crazy scheme and once again Bricket Wood is left with continuing problems of traffic gridlock and air quality issues.”

Mick Freeman, head of planning at St Stephen Parish Council, previously said: “There is a care home at the end of the road where there will be vehicles taking disabled people out and so they need the room, rather than the threat of traffic congestion.

“The road is not designed to take all that traffic. You’re squeezing a quart into a pint pot.”

Jack Goulde, the chief executive at HSN Care Home, was also outspoken in the Autumn edition of The Voice of Bricket Wood magazine.

He said: “Councillor should be aware that the Care Act places upon them and their senior officers an absolute obligation to ensure their profoundly disabled people, resident in their district, are not exposed to conditions which will worsen their medical or other well-being.”

However, the care home has now withdrawn its objections to the development after Crest Nicholson “dealt sympathetically” to the concerns raised.

Mr Goulde has now said: "Following detailed discussions with Crest Nicholson I am very pleased that they have addressed the concerns that we raised previously concerning the potential impact of their proposals on our Care Home, which adjoins the proposed new access road.

"Crest Nicholson has attended to all of our concerns and has dealt sympathetically and professionally to address them. We have therefore withdrawn our objection and now endorse the application and commend it to the council for approval."

A Crest Nicholson spokesperson said: “Relocating the access to The Kestrels provides a range of benefits for residents and the local community.

“The new access will enhance the sustainability of the site both in terms of increasing residents’ accessibility to local services and by enhancing social cohesiveness.

“The current access arrangements provide for a convoluted route in and out of the site, whilst the proposed revised access point will allow for a more direct access to new areas of open space and woodland paths for both residents and the wider community.”