Plans for 34 homes on the land of the former equestrian centre have been rejected by Hertsmere Borough Council’s planning committee tonight.

Developers from Clovercourt Fusion planned to demolish 37 Bucks Avenue, Watford, and Bucks Meadow equestrian centre to build 34 homes with a village green with pond and play area.

The entire entrance of the site is in Oxhey Village, Watford, and initially a joint application was submitted to both Hertsmere and Watford Borough Councils.

However at a recent planning Watford rejected the application.

Cllr Iain Sharpe, of Watford Borough Council, spoke at the meeting against the proposed development following the application being refused at Watford.

He said: “Residents do know that a development will be on the site so they are not objecting to all the development.

“But this is development exceeds Watford’s planning policies. I think this application should be rejected.”

Hertsmere Borough Cllr Carey Keates spoke on behalf of the residents during the meeting and described the application as ‘ridiculous’.

During the meeting Cllr Seamus Quilty admitted he was concerned about the risk of fire engines and other emergency vehicles struggling to get through the tight roads.

Former Hertsmere Mayor Cllr Martin Worster said he did not support the application submitted as he believes something better could have been put forward.

Members of the Oxhey Village Environment Group (OVEG) petitioned against the development when it was first submitted in August 2015 fearing it would be a ‘traffic nightmare’.

Bucks Meadow is the second equestrian centre to close in the area due to economic reasons. Eight members of the planning committee voted against the application and two voted for. The application was rejected.