Fight Against Homes on Green Belt Land in Dacorum
Campaigners have urged the government to think before agreeing to plans that would see the development of thousands of homes on green belt land in Dacorum.
The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) said the dramatic increase in housing in the East of England during the next 15 years represented the biggest threat to climate change in the region.
The government is this week expected to agree to changes to the East of England plan allowing an extra half a million homes to be built in the region by 2021, including around 12,000 in Dacorum.
A spokesman for the CPRE said it was opposed to the new homes but hoped that any homes that did get the go ahead were built to environmentaly friendly standards and to meet the needs of people rather than the market.
They added that better public transport should also be a key consideration and a commitment to water efficiency grants in existing as well as newly-built homes.
Dacorum Borough Council has already vowed to fight the government over the new housing targets, which are almost double those originally proposed.
Much of the new housing has been earmarked for green belt land around Hemel Hempstead by independent government inspectors, something the borough council is strongly opposed to.
Cllr Ian Reay, portfolio holder for planning and regeneration at Dacorum said he wanted people to make their voices heard on the matter.
He said: "The level of development suggested is substantial and could be the next significant stage in Hemel Hempstead's history since the original new town plan.
"Our only chance to influence these decisions is over the next few months and I want the people of Dacorum to be able to express their views."
The borough council is holding a consultation on the proposed new development and hopes to get public support for its opposition to the scheme.
Date: Wednesday 13th December, 2006
