A councillor claims she is being "hampered" in her role to support neighbours who have been "pushed to breaking point" by an ongoing development to build temporary homes.

Cllr Michelle Vince says Hertsmere Borough Council has asked her to stay away from the Crown Road site in Borehamwood after reporting numerous problems relating to the controversial scheme.

Twenty-eight modular homes are being constructed on a garage site - despite plans amassing more than 400 objections who believed the site was "unsuitable" for this type of development.

Borehamwood Times:

Borehamwood Times:

An artists impression of the new Crown Road site

Cllr Vince said: "The issues include working outside of conditioned hours, damage to the road and pavement, lorries parking up with engines running, and even an infestation of rats. The council should be held accountable for what is happening here.

"This site is out of control but it is down to the council to make sure it's running properly. It is their project.

"I'm trying to take up the fight for neighbours who have been pushed to breaking point but now I've been told to stay away. I feel like I'm being hampered in my role as a borough councillor. I have made a complaint of bullying against the council."

Borehamwood Times:

Police had to be called at one stage as Cllr Vince describes the site as "out of control"

The council has met with Cllr Vince and said she must deal directly with officers managing the site if any further complaints arise. The council added that it is "routine" that access to a construction site must be in "agreement with officers" - citing health and safety reasons.

Construction company Mears, who have been employed by the council to carry out the development, has taken action against one of its subcontractors following complaints about noise and working outside of hours.

A council spokeswoman added: "We have received very few complaints from residents and we consider that we have responded to them in a timely manner. We received one complaint regarding rats at the end of May. Pest control attended the site the following day and found no signs or evidence of rat infestation on the site, so no further action was required.

"We take any allegations from officers and members of bullying or harassment very seriously, that is why we have the proper procedure in place to deal with any complaints

"A member has been asked to deal directly with officers managing the site to ensure any further complaints received from residents are addressed in a timely manner. Access to any construction site by any person would, as a matter of routine, be in agreement with officers. Further to this, this is a priority in terms of health and safety."

The Crown Road development is expected to be completed by the end of August. The homes, which have a life-span of around 50 years, will be for residents who are currently living outside the borough.

The council says any residents concerned or believe the contractor is not complying with the working restrictions for the site, in terms of working hours and noise, can contact engineering services on 02082072277 or email engineering.services@hertsmere.gov.uk