An application to build a block of three flats behind a busy road in St Albans has been refused.

The site – to the rear of the post office on Hatfield Road – is currently used as garages.

But plans have been drawn-up for a block of flats on the site – including one two-bed flat and two one-bed flats – as well as a timber shed for a bike store.

On Monday (March 9) plans for the ‘car-free’ development were considered by a meeting of St Albans City and District Council’s planning referrals committee.

Council officers had recommended that permission be granted, subject to conditions.

But at the meeting councillors voted to refuse the application on the grounds of its size and bulk and over-development of the site.

At the meeting a report had also highlighted that a number of concerns that had been raised by nearby residents as part of the public consultation.

The majority of these concerns related to the pressure on parking in the area.

Others suggested the design was “overbearing” and not in keeping with Victorian houses opposite.

And some concerns had suggested the boundary on the plans included land that was not part of the site.

The application had been referred to the committee as a senior council officer is a neighbour to the site.