A massive cow shed which was the subject of a Government inquiry has ben rejected by a planning inspector.

Permission for the shed, which would have housed 44 sacred cows in the grounds of the Hare Krishna Bhaktivedanta Manor in Aldenham, was refused by Hertsmere Borough Council months ago, but the owners appealed to the Government.

A hearing was held in January and February and the inspector this week upheld the council's decision that it was an inappropriate development in the Green Belt.

Temple president Gauri das said: "It is disappointing news. We require suitable facilities for our cows as the present facility is inadequate. We may have been too grand in some of our ideas resulting from the love we have for cows in the Hindu tradition."

He said the temple would now work with the council on submitting a more appropriate application.