A DEVELOPMENT of ten detached and semi-detached houses in Hunton Bridge was "reluctantly" given planning permission by Three Rivers District coucnillors last week.

The council's development control board discussed the application at its meeting last Thursday, following a site visit.

While objections were raised against building the houses on the land to the rear of 8-16 Hunton Bridge Hill, Abbots Langley, there were not strong enough reasons for councillors to refuse it.

Mark Fletcher spoke out against the development on behalf of local residents.

He said: "Traffic is already a major problem in Hunton Bridge. If the Fairview appeal goes through this will have a huge impact on Hunton Bridge. We urge councillors not to approve more development until the outcome of that appeal is known."

Chairman of the development control board, Councillor Sara Bedford, and Langleybury ward councillor Chris Whately-Smith backed his comments.

However, leader of the council Ann Shaw pointed out the application could not be rejected because of traffic problems, since there was no objection from the Highway Authority.

Similar applications for development on the site had been refused for being piecemeal development on back land. But the inspector had not supported these grounds for refusal at an appeal. Therefore, Councillor Shaw said they would have to "reluctantly" grant permission for this application.

Following a vote, planning permission was granted.