Plans for 73 homes in Cuffley have been approved, despite major concerns raised by residents and councillors.

Stonebond Properties Limited proposed building a mixture of homes, with 14 one and two-bedroom flats, 12 two-bedroom, 31 three-bedroom, 12 four-bedroom and four five-bedroom homes, in land the end of The Meadway.

The application was decided at a meeting of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council's Development Management Committee on Thursday night, following a major objection by Northaw and Cuffley Parish Council.

The parish council believes the development contradicts the Local Plan, with the site only allocated for 60 homes, while it "strongly disagree with the erosion of Green Belt land".

Despite this, and after more than an hour of debate, councillors on the Development Management Committee voted in 7-4 in favour of the plans going ahead.

"I am here today to assure you of our commitment to deliver a quality development, and confirm we fully intend to implement this permission as soon as you grant the necessary consent," said Stonebond property manager Shaun Martin.

"The application before you is the culmination of four years of collaborative work through the local plan and planning application process.

"We are aware that the parish council have raised concerns with elements of the scheme, and we have sought to respond to these positively during the planning process.

"The scheme has the full support of relevant stakeholders, including Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council's housing team, who provide support for the mixture of homes.

"It is clear from the committee report that over £1.6 million will be contributed to make significant improvements locally. These improvements cannot happen without the approval of this application."