Green Belt homes plan sparks angry protests
Hundreds of objections have been declared to council plans to earmark Green Belt land in Hertford for housing.
East Herts Council has identified sites for building work in the town until 2011.
But many residents have expressed fears about the impact of removing sites from the Green Belt.
Areas picked include land off Mangrove Road, to the south of Hertford and around Sacombe Road, Bengeo, in the north.
Land currently used for university accommodation at Mangrove Road and the former Christ's Hospital playing field have both been targeted.
At Sacombe Road, both the Bengeo Primary School site and recreation ground could be taken out of the Green Belt.
Among pages and pages of objectors, Tony Bodley outlined his fears over building at Sacombe Road.
Traffic
He said: "Development of this site will cause increased traffic in the area and cause additional pressure on local facilities. The site should remain in the Green Belt."
Worries that work could lead to linked developments eating into the countryside were also expressed.
Traffic congestion, the effect on local wildlife, increased pollution, placing a strain on the school, the possibility of affecting existing house prices and the potential loss of the play area were all cited as reasons to preserve the area's Green Belt status and keep the bulldozers out.
Similar misgivings were included in objections to Mangrove Road's inclusion on the possible development list.
East Herts Council planners state that as previously developed sites are a priority for new homes, only small sections will need to be taken from the Green Belt.
Land will be used on "a controlled basis" their report to councillors suggests.
Herts24, 21st July 2004
