MORE flats are planned for a quiet corner of Hatfield – much to the ire of local residents who have already voiced complaints.

Hatfield Student Accommodation Limited, which earlier this month submitted plans to build 401 en suite student rooms in College Lane, has applied to build a further 11 flats in neighbouring Roe Green Close.

The company, which intends to offer the one, two and three bedroom flats for general sale, initially included the site in a far larger application for 548 rooms – rejected by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council in August.

It says the flats, which will replace an existing pair of houses and include 20 parking spaces, will promote a better relationship with neighbouring residents and will be aimed at the private market, not students.

Neighbours, however, have already contacted Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council to voice their objections.

One correspondent claimed that residents of the new development would be able to look directly into his bungalow. He wrote: “At our time of life all we want is peace and quiet. We hope for once you [the council] will think of long-standing residents and tell the builders to build elsewhere.”

Another said: “We have lived here for over 50 years, it has been a quiet and cul-de-sac all this time…we are fervently against it.”

A decision will be made in the coming months but will not be debated by a committee of councillors at a public meeting, like the far larger student application. Instead, a delegated decision will be made by a the council’s planning department.