Worried neighbours have launched a petition over plans to build a new temple on their doorsteps.

Bhaktivedanta Manor, in Hillfield Lane, submitted a planning application to build a two-storey building, called a ‘Haveli’, in December.

Bosses at the temple say the building, which will be approximately 2,000 square meters, will help deal with a steady stream of visitors during festivals and other events.

Although a consultation was carried out in 2012, people who live nearby say this was for a different sized building.

Martin Shaw, of Hazel Tree Lodge, in Letchmore Heath, is concerned about the impact this will have on neighbours and is leading a petition calling for a new consultation.

The 82-year-old said: "It's not that we are against it, we just have concerns and questions that need answering - the plans say there is going to be no additional parking, we want to know what impact this will have on neighbouring residents.

"This will be one of the largest developments to ever be built in Letchmore Heath if the plans are approved and we just want our say."

In December 2012, Hertsmere Borough Council agreed on a set of guidelines outlining the future of the temple over the next 15 years.

The Supplementary Planning Document includes plans to bulldoze some of the existing buildings on the temple’s grounds to make way for a one-storey Haveli.

People were consulted about the manor’s plans before councillors approved the guidelines.

Mr Shaw, a retired chartered surveyor said that whilst the application showed a 2,000 square meter Haveli, the new proposals raises this to 2,350 sq. m.

He said that neighbours writing letters of objection did not believe they would get answers to their questions because of the lack of consultation.

Nearly 60 people have signed the petition, which Mr Shaw, says represents about 40 per cent of the village.

Ian Southern, of The Green, said: "The proposals are sure to have a considerable impact on the residents in Letchmore Heath and they need to be properly consulted.

"It's been more than two years since the we had a meeting about the plans - things have changed, people have moved out, moved in and so we need a consultation, not only to get an update but to inform new residents."

Others say they have not had any information about the impact this will have on traffic, parking and nearby businesses.

Operations director, Joe Holdsworth at the Three Compasses pub in Pegmire Lane, said: "The pub came under new management in January and this is the first we have heard about this.

Councillor Leslie Winters, who is supporting the petition, said: "What surprises me is that the council seems unwilling to meet with the residents again to have a further consultation - which I think is unfair."

"We would particularly like to know more about the impact this will have on traffic, parking and business - especially as we are only down the road from the temple."

Councillor Harvey Cohen, who responsible for planning at Hertsmere, said: "Our planning team has sent out 28 consultation letters to all the addresses which adjoin the site’s boundaries, erected a site notice and published a press notice in January, which meets our statutory obligation for public consultation.

"Our local councillors were also made aware and all planning applications are published on our website.

"We encourage residents to submit their comments on planning applications. If you wish to oppose, support or submit a comment on this application and have those comments taken into consideration, please do so through our website."

Gauri Das, executive secretary for ISKCON, which owns the manor, said: “There was an extended public consultation relating the approved planning brief.

“Otherwise we have only submitted an application that respects the parameters of the brief.”