2:41pm Monday 20th July 2009
By Manisha Mistry
PLANS to build thousands of homes on the Green Belt in St Albans have been slammed by residents who will be affected by the proposed developments.
St Albans District Council has launched a consultation seeking the views of local people on its plans to meet housing targets.
One of the sites earmarked for some 1,000 houses is behind Watford Road in Chiswell Green, bordering the M10 motorway.
Homeowners in Corder Close would be looking out of their back gardens to a development of homes, if the plans take shape.
However, speaking to the Review today, one resident said she and her neighbours would do everything they could to make sure the district council's plans were rejected.
The 74-year-old has lived in Corder Close for 34 years and commented on the beautiful scenery she looks out onto from the back of her house which would be ruined and the pressure it would have on local services.
She said: “You only have to look at the roads now, they are congested in the morning and afternoon rush hours. It would be chaos if they build these homes, and there wouldn't be enough school places.
“When your own children cannot get a local school place, what will happen if more families move in? It's a ridiculous idea, we are definitely against it.”
A neighbour said: “There is no way that this will just happen with out us making a massive fuss. This has happened in the past. The last time a planning application was submitted f or this land we were assured that it would be the last.
“There is one junior school and one senior school. That is not enough for 1,000 more homes. They have to take into account St Albans is a city and its identity.
“There are also environmental factors to take into account, surely there must be some protection there?
It's really worrying. I cannot think there is anybody who would want this.”
To read more about the district council's plans. Click the related link on the story.
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