Following on from my last Radlett News column, the Labour / Lib Dem Council have launched the public consultation for the new Local Plan. I wanted to take this opportunity to look at the proposals in further detail.

It is a key priority of mine to protect our precious green open spaces for generations to come. That is why I have grave concerns that the Local Plan proposes to build on the Green Belt.

For the proposed site at the land south of Theobald Street, the Labour / Lib Dem coalition have indicated building 130 houses on Green Belt land.

I know how much local people value green spaces. 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 fields around Radlett and love the space and freedom it provides. It makes our towns and villages distinct and special places to live.

Adding 130 houses to this area of Radlett will increase the amount of traffic, increase the use of local infrastructure such healthcare and education and come with a measurable level of flood risk.

Another proposal that will build on the Green Belt is the site at Porters Park Golf Club, which I know will be very unpopular with residents.

At the neighbouring site of Shenley Hill, an existing planning application is currently at Judicial Review. The application was rejected unanimously by the previous Conservative-led Council and the appeal dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate. I agreed with these decisions as the proposed development would clog our roads, blight our countryside and be totally unsuitable for the local area. The Porters Park Golf Club proposal could lead to another unsuitable application in the same area.

I will be registering my concerns with the Council for these sites and for other sites across Hertsmere. I would strongly encourage everyone in Hertsmere to submit their own views on the Local Plan by responding to the Council’s public consultation, available on their website. The public consultation will remain open until 29 May.

Finally, I welcome the news that the Planning Minister has rightly listened to the concerns of residents and blocked the Hilfield solar farm application. I made my concerns clear over the size and scale of this development and the disproportionate impact it would have on our green open spaces.