Democracy in the planning process has been called into question after an “inner city”-style office block was given the go-ahead in the heart of a village.

A proposal to redevelop the site of the Esso petrol station and Regency House in Watling Street, Radlett was eventually passed by councillors after initial discussions had to be adjourned for legal advice.

Hertsmere Borough Council’s planning committee were unhappy with the application when they debated it on Thursday, but the meeting was halted when head of planning Christine Lyons said they needed to take legal advice.

The plans were eventually passed on Monday after officers said the council could be at risk of a costly appeal if they denied planning consent.

Radlett Society chairman Rosamund Gray and Aldenham Parish Council chairman Vivien Charrett said they were “disappointed” by the decision.

In a joint statement they said: “After almost a year of campaigning, we are of course very disappointed that this has been passed. For some reason this was difficult to object to and I believe we should have had more involvement in the scheme.

“We’d also question where this leaves democracy as it felt like the council made the decision so what is the point in having a committee?”

The council has been working with the applicant TLC Radlett for months after officers knocked back the initial design, calling for a “more contemporary” style.

Read more: Planning meeting adjourned after Radlett development divides opinion

On Thursday, it emerged councillors would have preferred a more traditional design.

Cllr John Graham in particular described the building, which was three and four storeys tall, as “too big for the area” while Cllr Seamus Quilty said it would be more suitable in an inner city than Radlett.

But when the committee returned on Monday, they were told by council officers there were not enough reasons for refusal and that refusing permission could leave the council at “financial risk” if the an appeal was made.

Cllr Graham’s argument that a council policy states a building in the area should not be more than two storeys high was described as “undefendable” as a three-storey building had been given the go-ahead next door.

In the end, Cllr Graham, Cllr Farida Turner, and Cllr Ruth Lyons abstained while Cllr David Lambert rejected the plans. Cllr Quilty was abroad, but the remaining councillor approved the application.

The petrol station and Regency House will be knocked down so the new office can be built. The ground floor will be used as a community space.

In a statement the council said: “The role of planning officers at these public committees is to provide professional guidance on planning matters and to support councillors in making sound decisions.”