PLANS to turn a former laboratory site in Hatching Green into 23 new homes have been put on hold following councillors decision to refer them to the planning committee.

At a meeting of the plans north sub-committee on Monday, district councillors decided unanimously to refer the proposals for the former Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries (Maff) laboratory site.

Developers Laing had wanted to demolish the existing buildings and put up 23 new homes in their place.

But councillors argued that the plans did not justify the extensive development of Green Belt land.

Councillor Keith Stammers said: 'The buildings that are there at the moment were forced onto Harpenden by Maff. They did not have to go through a planning committee.'

And Councillor Stammers claimed that it was time for the council to start protecting the Green Belt and minimise the damage to it.

He said: 'Let's stop messing around and defend the Green Belt. We're talking about offices which are already there - they should either be used as they are or demolished and the land returned to what it was.'

He was supported by his fellow members who argued that all too often housing was being built on any land that became available.

Councillor Gillian Clark said: 'This part of the country is rapidly becoming a dormitory which looks nice, clean and sanitised. But if we are not careful everyone will work out of the area and just live here.'

She was backed by Councillor Pat Schofield who said: 'There has been no attempt to market it as an employment site. I too am concerned that the area is becoming a dormitory with less and less employment opportunities.'