A challenge to the planning brief for the future development of a former West Herts College campus in Watford has ended in an uncompromising stalemate.

The document, which is a guideline for developers who may wish to transform the Leggatts Way site, primarily into a housing estate, was agreed by Watford Borough Council's Cabinet on December 10.

But it has been contested by three Green Party councillors, Steve Rackett, Georgina Tara Mann and Ken Brodhurst, who argue there should be mention of sports facility provision on the site.

They were also concerned that Cabinet, which is chaired by Watford Mayor Dorothy Thornhill, had not heard from Hertfordshire County Council regarding site access when making their decision.

At a meeting of the council's scrutiny committee, Councillor Rackett said the brief identified using Leggatts Way as the main access route, despite an existing A41 link road.

He said: "It is too unfavourable in terms of dismissing the A41 as a possibility. I raised the possibility of the site being split.

"That would dilute traffic but it seems to me that the planning brief is too favourable in terms of Leggatts Way."

Vetti Velu, from the county council, explained using the A41 for residential access would create congestion problems at the Dome and Leavesden Green roundabouts. But he added: "We suggest a combination of two access points to minimise the impact on the A41."

Cabinet member Iain Sharpe added: "I think what has been said by county officers is reflected in the document. There should be consideration given to two accesses to the site."

Councillor Rackett also thought sport should be mentioned alongside the recommendation that a community facility is provided within any development, to "build community confidence" should the Bill Everett Community Centre close.

He said: "The residents are concerned about the loss of local sports facilities. The distance to Woodside Leisure Centre is a considerable distance for people wanting to use a local facility.

"If we don't use the word sport, we don't give residents in that area a fair deal."