The government’s decision to place Hertsmere planning into special measures is a serious blow to the credibility of the Labour/Liberal run council.

Plans for major developments can now be submitted directly to the Planning Inspectorate, going over the council’s head completely and treating it as a consultee rather than the decision maker in its own area. The council has essentially stripped itself of its own decision-making powers. This unprecedented loss of local control means bureaucratic planners in Whitehall, rather than the democratically elected representatives of Hertsmere, will now dictate what gets built in our neighbourhoods.

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 our green areas 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. 

Unfortunately, this intervention will make it even harder to resist large-scale green belt development, coming on top of Labour’s reintroduction of totally unrealistic top-down housing targets and redesignation of green belt as 'grey belt'. I fear this will be used as a charter to give developers free rein to build on our precious Green Belt land. This could include, as set out in the local plan, Shenley Hill, the land north of Watford Road and east of Kemprow, the land south of Watford Road and west of New Road and Starveacres and the land to the west of Starveacres.

These are very worrying times for those of us who care about protecting our precious countryside from uncontrolled urban sprawl. I want to reassure residents that I am not giving up. I continue to work with local campaigners to do all I can to preserve our green spaces.