Dr Ann Goddard
28 Deacons Hill Road
Elstree
WD6 3LH
17 April 2018
28 Deacons Hill Road
Elstree
WD6 3LH
17 April 2018
The Right Hon Michael Gove MP
Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
House of Commons
Westminster. London W1.
Dear Michael Gove,
I am writing to ask what protection the Green Belt has now in the face of the demand for housing which is felt most heavily in the South East.
In Elstree and Borehamwood we are experiencing a population explosion caused by the addition of 9,000 new houses in Hertsmere of which over 2,000 will be in Borehamwood. The resulting traffic congestion and pressure on the infrastructure has caused great resentment among our Green Belt members.
ln particular the proposal to build 58 houses on Green Belt alongside rural Potters Lane (PA 17/2594/OUT) in exchange for land to build a new Primary School which is needed for the children in the School system is creating huge anxiety in local residents. Elstree and Borehamwood Green Belt Society voted against it favouring expansion of existing schools.
Another similar plan to build 150 houses on Green Belt on Watford Road Elstree in exchange for the gift of Aldenham Reservoir to a Community Interest Company with £5 million to replace the dam and maintain this historic and valued local recreational asset was felt reluctantly to be the only salvation for the Reservoir, threatened with drainage because Herts County Council has ended their lease.
What is the present Government strategy over London's Green Belt? Are you still committed to preserving a green space between towns? Are small settlements like ours going to be swallowed up in a tide of tarmac and concrete from Marble Arch to St Albans?
We would appreciate your advice and guidance in our attempt to solve these ethical problems.
With best wishes
Yours sincerely
Ann Goddard. ChairmanElstree and Borehamwood Green Belt Society
Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
House of Commons
Westminster. London W1.
Dear Michael Gove,
I am writing to ask what protection the Green Belt has now in the face of the demand for housing which is felt most heavily in the South East.
In Elstree and Borehamwood we are experiencing a population explosion caused by the addition of 9,000 new houses in Hertsmere of which over 2,000 will be in Borehamwood. The resulting traffic congestion and pressure on the infrastructure has caused great resentment among our Green Belt members.
ln particular the proposal to build 58 houses on Green Belt alongside rural Potters Lane (PA 17/2594/OUT) in exchange for land to build a new Primary School which is needed for the children in the School system is creating huge anxiety in local residents. Elstree and Borehamwood Green Belt Society voted against it favouring expansion of existing schools.
Another similar plan to build 150 houses on Green Belt on Watford Road Elstree in exchange for the gift of Aldenham Reservoir to a Community Interest Company with £5 million to replace the dam and maintain this historic and valued local recreational asset was felt reluctantly to be the only salvation for the Reservoir, threatened with drainage because Herts County Council has ended their lease.
What is the present Government strategy over London's Green Belt? Are you still committed to preserving a green space between towns? Are small settlements like ours going to be swallowed up in a tide of tarmac and concrete from Marble Arch to St Albans?
We would appreciate your advice and guidance in our attempt to solve these ethical problems.
With best wishes
Yours sincerely
Ann Goddard. ChairmanElstree and Borehamwood Green Belt Society
The minister's reply referred Ann to the Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government. He ignored Ann's questions in the last paragraph.