Villagers are ecstatic to see an application for 40 retirement homes refused.

A proposal to build a 40-unit retirement development in Hempstead Road, Kings Langley, has been refused by Dacorum Borough Council's development committee on December 14.

The application evoked some public opposition, with 90 comments in opposition being posted to the council's planning portal, and a petition signed by 1,200 residents was given to MP for Hemel Hempstead Mike Penning.

One Paul Rees said: "The councillors on the committee recognised they are there to represent residents, not developers.

"This proposal was simply not right for our village and the Common is the jewel in Kings Langley’s crown.

"Dacorum planning committee is to be congratulated for helping protect Kings Langley's lower common conservation area, for current and future generations, by rejecting this proposal."

The application, from retirement developers McCarthy and Stone, was for four houses to be demolished to make way for 40 units, with around 30 parking spaces.

Many who opposed the application did so on the grounds of the lack of parking, as well as its proximity to a conservation area.

A spokesperson for McCarthy and Stone said the developers will be appealing the decision as they believe it has multiple benefits for the area.

The spokesperson said: "Naturally we are disappointed that members of the Planning Committee voted against the officers recommendation to approve our scheme.

"Throughout the application process we have endeavoured to put forward proposals that responded to local feedback, fulfilled a local need for this type of accommodation for older people and minimised any impact on the conservation area and neighbouring buildings."