AHR-designed Hemel Hempstead scheme refused despite being recommended for approvalAHR Architects plans for the gasworks siteBerkeley has said a decision by a council in Hemel Hempstead to block plans to turn a former gasworks into nearly 500 homes shows what the government is up against at local level in its attempts to overhaul planning regulations.Dacorum Borough Council yesterday refused an application to build 476 private and affordable homes designed by AHR and LDA Design on the derelict Hemel Hempstead Gasworks.Berkeley said the site has been largely derelict for over 60 years and has been allocated for housing development in the councils Local Plan since 2013.But the scheme was turned down despite a recommendation to approve the plan from the councils planning department.Berkeley added: Dacorum has a severe housing shortage and delivered an average of around 680 homes over the last three years against an annual target of over 1,000.It said it plans to appeal the decision to the Planning Inspectorate in a process that will take many months and incur significant costs.The housebuilders chief executive Rob Perrins added: The government has made a hugely positive start to fixing our dysfunctional planning system and decisions like this shows what they are up against at local level.> Also read:AHR submits updated plans for 600-home Reading redevelopmentCouncils with severe housing shortages can block new homes on sustainable brownfield sites they have allocated for housing in their own local plans. It makes no sense and we encourage the government to keep up the pressure and continue doing everything it can to break down the barriers and get homes built.Berkeley said it had been working with the council for three years on the scheme which would have also included parkland, childrens play space and a mix of new natural habitats.The project team on the scheme also included ground investigation consultant Ramboll, daylight consultant GIA and structural engineer Patrick Parsons.Dacorum council has been contacted for comment.