Fourteen homes are to be built on the former site of Berkhamsted Day Centre in Manor Street, despite objections from councillors. 

Dacorum Borough Council has granted planning permission for the construction of fourteen houses with parking, but Berkhamsted Town Council has warned that the approval will lead to "over-development" in the town centre.

In their objection, the Town Council said there was "no evidence that [the site's] previous use for social and community purposes is no longer viable or needed" and added that it was the "only site in Berkhamsted available for social or community use".

Berkhamsted Day Centre closed in 2008, and elderly people in the town must now travel to Hemel Hempstead for a similar service.

Berkhamsted Town Council also expressed concerns about the "scale, bulk and height" of the development, which councillors believe will cause loss of light and loss of privacy to residents of Castle Mews and Clunbury Court. 

In addition, the council believes the 17 parking spaces that have been planned to be "wholly insufficient", and have complained that it will exacerbate traffic problems on Manor Street and impede access to Clunbury Court. 

Before the planning application was approved, 14 complaints were also received from residents, citing the loss of a community facility, over-development, lack of character, loss of privacy and parking difficulties as causes for concern.

It is not yet known when work will begin on the site, which is currently empty.