A controversial application for a new retirement village will go in front of the a council committee next week.

The application from McCarthy and Stone for a new 40-unit retirement village in Hempstead Road, Kings Langley, will go before the Dacorum Borough Council development management committee on December 14.

Campaigners have sought to stop the development from going ahead, presenting Hemel Hempstead MP Mike Penning with a petition signed by more than 1,000 villagers.

Paul Rees, of The Common, said: “We have shown opposition to this proposal for the fact that around 1,200 signed a petition against the application.

“That is the highest number of signatures for a petition in Kings Langley’s history as far as we know.

“There were also dozens of people who sent in objections and it is dismaying to the people who attended the public meetings in January so this will shock and dismay the people from Kings Langley.”

Mr Rees feels the development will “destroy the character of Kings Langley” and says villagers will be making a plea at the committee meeting.

A spokesperson from McCarthy and Stone said: “We are pleased that officers at Dacorum Borough Council are recommending that our proposals are approved next week.

“We have worked closely with officers and the local community to create a scheme that positively reflects the site’s position on Hempstead Road.

“This work has recently led to significant amendments to the application to improve both the landscaping, design and layout of the scheme, resulting in proposals that better suit the area.”

The spokesperson added the retirement apartments are a “sympathetic neighbour” and will provide much-needed specialist housing for older people."