One of the great pleasures of living in our part of Hertfordshire is the countryside we have right on our doorstep. I grew up enjoying the green area our area and love the space and freedom it provides. It makes our towns and villages distinct and special places to live. We of course need more homes for our children and grandchildren, but this must not be at the expense of what makes our area special. 

Nationally, I have championed the maintenance of our green open spaces. The Government have reversed reforms that I lobbied for previously, in particular reinstating top-down targets and redesignating Green Belt land, which may make it easier to build on our green spaces. Locally, I have joined campaigns against inappropriate and unsustainable developments and I will continue to oppose any changes which do not protect the Green Belt.

The council's latest Local Plan consultation period has now closed. They are now reviewing submissions received and will reopen public consultation of the Local Plan before it is submitted to the government. I urge constituents to engage with the council’s consultation on the new local plan, and I have stressed to councillors the importance of protecting our green spaces as they work to put a new plan in place. 

I have worked closely with STRIFE to do all I can to resist the construction of the Radlett Rail Freight Terminal that would clog our roads, blight our countryside and put further pressure on the Thameslink line. I've championed the maintenance and re-planting of precious trees across the Borough. In Bushey, I was proud to work with all parties to help secure the future of Aldenham Reservoir. In Radlett, I expressed my serious concerns about the size and scope of a proposed solar farm, which was thankfully blocked by the previous government. 

It is a key priority of mine to protect our precious green open spaces for generations to come.