Former England cricket captain Michael Atherton attended a Hertsmere planning meeting on Thursday to see two applications from a Hare Krishna temple near his home deferred.

The former opening batsmen and Letchmore Heath resident saw councillors fail to decide on applications for a temporary marquee and plastic car park flooring at Bhaktivedanta Manor.

The temple, in Hilfield Lane, Aldenham, will now have to wait for a decision on the wedding marquee and geo-grid flooring at a later date.

Aldenham Parish councillor David Lambert spoke against the proposals at the meeting in Hertsmere Borough Council's offices in Borehamwood.

He said: “The main objection was that it represents a gradual expansion and encroachment by the temple on green belt land. We have a good relationship with the temple but this was one application too many.”