Both Little Bushey campaigns have been featured by Herts Live after reporter Adam May visited the sites and spoke to concerned residents and campaigners.

CPRE Hertfordshire has slammed Hertsmere’s Draft Local Plan saying that its emphasis is on economic growth at the expense of nature and the environment.

In a strongly worded document, they claim that it’s abundantly clear that they have a ‘strong traditional economic growth agenda’ and that they have not given sufficient consideration to the environmental implications of using 1025 hectares of Green Belt.

The CPRE also pulls up the Council for frequently claiming that they have to provide for housing need in full, claiming it’s not true and that they have failed to take into account protected land in reducing housing targets.

The report also points out that Hertsmere has ignored central Government’s pledge to protect the Green Belt and that protecting it is not a strategic objective in the Plan. It continues to say that giving over 12% of the Borough’s Green Belt to development will have a very significant impact on its character and appearance.

Equally, say the CPRE, the Plan underestimates the expected changes in demand for town centre and out-of-town sites which can be converted to residential use.

The CPRE are now working on a more detailed technical review that they will publish in November. Their initial review can be read in full here.

Nearly 150 people attended the 'No to 350 houses & school' meeting organised by Little Bushey Community. Those unable to attend followed the proceedings on Zoom and Facebook.

Residents were able to hear Little Bushey Community Chair, Daren Nathan, explain the Draft Local Plan process and outline the objections to building on the Harts Farm site, a significant flood plain

He urged local residents to get behind the campaign which will see an extra 1200 cars on Little Bushey Lane, the descimation of wildlife and no additional infrastructure.

Aside from voicing objections to the proposals, residents described the impossibilty of accessing the consultation process via the Council's planning portal.

Politicians from all three parties were in attendance, but claimed they were prevented from speaking on QC's advice.

As the meeting drew to a close, news came through from Hertsmere that the consultation was to be extended by two weeks as a result of the difficulties in lodging objections.

When the Draft Local Plan consultation opened on Monday, residents found that they were unable to register to use the website or if they could, found it impossible to navigate to the relevant green belt sites.

Following complaints to Little Bushey Community and local councillors, Hertsmere were forced to rethink the website and extend the consultation period.

Labour and Liberal Democrat opposition councillors ensured that the deadline was extended to Monday 6 December, although some called for the consultation process to be abandoned.

Residents are also able to email objections to local.plan@hertsmere.gov.uk or send a letter to Local Plan Consultation, Hertsmere Borough Council, Borehamwood WD6 9SR

The Hertsmere Draft Local Plan consultation has opened and residents are being urged to object to the green belt sites that the Borough is proposing to develop for housing.

The consultation, which is largely being conducted online through their portal requires that people object to each individual site, including Harts Farm.

We are providing guidance on objections through our website and on social media.