A councillor says the council will "go the extra mile" to satisfy neighbours affected by the controversial modular home development in Borehamwood.

At a meeting on Wednesday morning, Hertsmere borough councillor John Graham acknowledged that communication between the council and residents "could be better" but was looking forward to progressing with the temporary homes project.

The meeting was called for by the Times and asked for Cllr Graham, responsible for finance and property, and housing portfolio holder Cllr Jean Heywood to be present alongside any senior council officers involved in the Crown Road project.

The Times called for the meeting in mid August after a modular home with a window facing out onto Grant Kramer's garden was put on site - despite assurances from Cllr Heywood in 2017 that no windows would look into existing homes.

Mr Kramer's home is 26m from the modular home - the other 27 homes are the required 28m plus distance away.

Borehamwood Times:

The view from Mr Kramer's garden. Staircases are still to be put in

Borehamwood Times:

The window in question facing out onto Mr Kramer's garden

Mr Kramer lives in Gateshead Road with his wife Shoshana, their two-a-half-year-old and their six-week-old baby.

Hr spoke against the Crown Road proposal when it was passed in February 2018 and one of more then 430 people who objected - and he has been in constant dialogue with the council since.

At the meeting, Cllr Graham said he would invite Mr Kramer into the modular home at the back of his garden to see for himself what the view is like and pledged to make any alterations necessary to ensure their was enough privacy, adding "we will go the extra mile to ensure there are no ongoing problems".

But Mr Kramer said: "I cautiously welcome this news but with scepticism. In my eyes, what they are proposing is no less than what was agreed in the planning conditions. It is the bare minimum. I have to think about my family and we need privacy.

"Whether it's screening, a high fence, or trees; there are plenty of easy ways to get this sorted for us.

"But our neighbours are affected too. Some of these homes will be right over gardens. I still think the council should be doing a lot more."

The council defended the types of housing being used at Crown Road - head of engineering services Simon Payton said they were made out of timber frame and not metal and Cllr Heywood said she believes the Borehamwood modular homes are "better" than the modular homes councillors visited in Reading.

Cllr Heywood added: "We have families that need homes. We've got people living out in Harlow and Luton. I don't like that, it is a real concern. We need to bring them back into this borough."

There are currently 135 Hertsmere households living in temporary accommodation with 555 applicants on the housing register. Nine households living outside the borough will be given priority on the Crown Road site.

The council says only families with an established local connection to Hertsmere will be housed in the modular homes.

People are expected to move into the new homes in October and tenants will be paying the local housing allowance rate.

Labour Cowley Hill ward councillor Michelle Vince campaigned against the Crown Road development as she did not believe it was a suitable site, and since construction began has been down at the site almost everyday.

She believes her and her Labour colleagues are being kept in the dark over any developments at Crown Road.

"They have not discussed each stage with us like they said they would. I'm also not happy they haven't spoken about other neighbours affected. We wait to see the finished project but I'm calling on screening for everyone. No one wants to see containers in their back garden."

Acting chief executive Sajida Bilje, and head of asset management at the council met with Cllr Vince and Labour group leader Cllr Jeremy Newmark twice since July 12 where the scheme was reportedly discussed at "some length".

The council added Cllr Vince has been "kept informed" of the latest position and that it has done the best they can to answer any questions she may have.

With regards to engagement with residents affected by the scheme, although Cllr Graham admitted communication "could be better", the council says letters have been sent out to nearby residents as well as newsletters by the contractors.

It says it has received a "low number" of complaints directly and encouraged people to get in touch if they had any issues.

Wednesday's meeting, held at the council's offices in Borehamwood, was attended by the Borehamwood Times, Cllr John Graham, Cllr Jean Heywood, head of engineering services Simon Payton, head of housing Hilary Shade, and the council's head of communications. BBC Radio 3 Counties also attended following an invitation by the council.