Tighter traffic control and the need for a clearer plan were reasons why councillors deferred a decision on plans for a new Hare Krishna temple in Aldenham.

Bhaktivedanta Manor, in Hillfield Lane, submitted a planning application to Hertsmere Borough Council to build a two-storey "Haveli".

The proposed building, which would be approximately 2,000sq m and on Green Belt land, was submitted following the council’s adoption of a planning brief in 2012.

The planning brief is a set of guidelines which outlined the manor's plans for the next 15 years.

The proposal also includes the relocation of existing polytunnels, tulsi (a holy basil) greenhouses and a children's playground, alongside the demolition of eight buildings and a single-storey extension to the existing ladies ashram - a place where religious and spiritual activity takes place.

Planning consultant Craig Tabb spoke on behalf of neighbouring Letchmore Heath residents at the planning meeting on Thursday.

In the past the village has been described as "gridlocked" due to visitor numbers and Mr Tabb said people are concerned about the parking and traffic, particularly on festival days.

Currently there are 175 car parking spaces in the manor and approximately a further 500 spaces on the Geo Grid, which is used as an overflow parking space. The plans do not include any additional car parking spaces.

Mr Tabb referred to a letter he had sent the council outlining why the application should be withdrawn or deferred. It said that the planning officers' report is "confusing and misleading" as it is unclear exactly what the use of the site entails.

He also reported that officers have not considered the impact the development would have on the environment and have placed "significant weight" on the planning brief.

He added: "The application should be considered on its own merits."

Councillor David Lambert, who also spoke on behalf of the residents at the meeting, said afterwards: "The residents felt that their voices were not being heard. The manor are good neighbours, but it's the degree of impact it has during festivals.

"If the application is to be approved there should be strict conditions to ensure it does not affect the residents' daily lives. There should be a benchmark for the number of people and better traffic management.

Hertsmere councillors also raised concerns about the traffic and agreed that there should be a more robust set of guidelines for traffic management, and deferred their decision on this basis.

A representative from Bhaktivedanta Manor said it will look at ways to address the concerns that have been raised.