A Jewish charity says its £9million plan for a block of supported housing will benefit Bushey Heath. Residents, however, say the 40 home scheme is “absolute potty” and dangerous.

Jewish Blind and Disabled, which provides independent housing with care workers and activity co-ordinators, aims to demolish a “substantial” two storey early-mid Victorian house and two bungalows to make room for a two and three storey house and flats proposal between High Road and Windmill Lane.

Last year, a similar application on the site was refused by Hertsmere Borough Council and government inspectors on appeal due to density, height, adverse impact on neighbouring properties, an inadequate access road and traffic issues in the surrounding area.

Councillors also said the proposal would constitute backland development and would be detrimental to the character of the Bushey Heath conservation area.

This conservation area includes 168 High Road, an “attractive two storey Victorian property that makes a valuable contribution”, which is part of the development, though due to be refurbished and given a new garage and not demolished.

Malcom Ozin, founder and president of Jewish Blind and Disabled, which is run by volunteers, said: “It is for Hertsmere but also for people from the external area. A lot of people who live in Hertsmere know of a relative they need to house nearby.”

The properties, consisting of 38 flats and two warden flats would include walk in showers, colour coded corridors and blind and wheelchair friendly locks and rooms.

Mr Ozin added: “We will be providing a service that benefits the local area and feel it is a service that Hertsmere needs.”

Neighbouring resident, Shirley Goslett, who has lived in Bushey Heath for 95 years, was unimpressed.

She said the properties set to be demolished and refurbished were “The only nice pieces of Bushey Heath left”.

Her main concern, however, one shared by many other residents last time the application came up, was with traffic.

She said: “The whole thing is ludicrous, crazy and wicked. It's already dangerous with all the cars coming down the main road. During rush hour traffic can come all the way up here and you already have all the cars trying to get out of Tesco. It's absolute potty.”

The developer has provided a detailed traffic report which claims the parking provision, going from 14 spaces on the current site to 22, and other features of the plan fit with Hertfordshire Highways guidelines.

Mr Ozin said he hoped the application, due to be heard before July, would be approved the first time round. Failing that, he said the charity would appeal against the council's decision.