VILLAGERS are concerned that infrastructure in their neighbourhood will collapse if plans for thousands of homes in a neighbouring borough go ahead.

Residents of London Colney discovered that Hertsmere Borough Council have proposed to create a new garden village with 4,000 dwellings near their homes.

This is part of the council’s Local Plan which looks to address how the borough needs to develop over the next 15 years to keep up with demand.

There is an ongoing public consultation which is open to residents from all over Hertsmere until November 30, however many London Colney residents, who fall under St Albans City and District Council, found out using social media.

The areas suggested in the plans surround the M25 junction 23 and the A1, and people from the village are concerned that this new community will swamp the infrastructure of a village which has a population of 9,507 according to the Office of National Statistics.

Tony Lillico, 53 from Halsey Park, London Colney said: “To be perfectly honest I am shocked by the whole situation.

“I am shocked that the consultation took place in Hertsmere without any thought to London Colney.

“I do not understand why two councils that are next to each other cannot talk to residents in London Colney about this development.

We already have problems with infrastructure with the main roads and freight rail interchange here.

“Given the shortage of housing, I think people would have been willing to take part in a public consultation, but we were not even told.”

Darren Smith, 45, from Collyer Road in London Colney said: “I have lived here my whole life. I have seen it grow from a small village and already it has become massive.

“I think most people have only found out about it on social media, which is really annoying.

“This will be far too big for London Colney, I do not see how we are going to cope. The whole infrastructure will suffer enormously.”

Ken Peak, 80, of Richardson Close said: “I went to the meeting that Hertsmere Borough Council held in Shenley, there were lots of people there and everyone asked what will happen to London Colney?

“Hertsmere Borough Council will be isolating a community at the edge of the area, and we are already suffering quite a bit from the traffic of the M25 and A1.

“With the proposed freight train increase there will also be more lorries on the road adding to the traffic, and many people do not quite realise the impact this will have.”

MP for St Albans Anne Main said: “It is absolutely vital that Hertsmere fully cooperates with St Albans District Council.

“This will give St Albans the chance to flesh out what concerns they have about any proposals, and how they can work together to find a mutually agreeable solution.

“We want to address the need for housing, whilst at the same time protecting our green spaces. The best solution to this will be healthy dialogue between the two councils.”

The Liberal Democrat group in St Albans have objected to the plans and are calling for supporters for their online petition.

Hertsmere Borough Council and St Albans City and District Council have been contacted for comment.

Councillor Harvey Cohen, responsible for planning and localism, said: “At the heart of the debate about appropriate approaches and locations is ensuring that the right infrastructure, such as schools, GP surgeries, public transport and roads, is in place to support that growth.

“As our new Local Plan takes shape, we will continue to liaise with a number of key consultees both within the borough of Hertsmere and across the borders, such as London Colney Parish Council and St Albans City and District Council.

“People who live outside the borough but near our boundaries are, of course, welcome to attend any of the series of drop in sessions that we have planned in the coming weeks.

“We are at an early stage of preparing this and comments received during those drop in sessions will be considered as we move forward with drawing up our new Local Plan.”

The Liberal Democrats group in St Albans have launched a petition to object to the plans for the garden village.

St Albans City and District Council have been contacted for comment.

For more information, visit www.hertsmere.gov.uk/newlocalplan.

For more information on the petition visit http://www.stalbanslibdems.org.uk/london_colney_petition.