St Albans Lib Dems slam Hertsmere’s Bowman's Cross site as “house dumping”

St Albans Liberal Democrats have slammed neighbouring Hertsmere Borough Council for “dumping” up to 5000 houses in the long-term on the edge of London Colney and Colney Heath for local political reasons.

The party said that it believes that Hertsmere has failed to follow clear national guidance, which requires every district council to prioritise the most sustainable sites for new housing: ones that can be connected to local transport infrastructure and population centres.

In Hertsmere, that would mean locating sites for new housing closer to centres like Radlett, Elstree, Potters Bar and Borehamwood.

The Lib Dems claim that Hertsmere has instead “dumped” the site on the edge of London Colney and Colney Heath for the politically motivated reason that because there are no Hertsmere residents living there, there are none that will object in their ballot boxes.

The Lib Dems have also pointed out that this is in stark contrast to their recently adopted Local Plan in St Albans, which strictly followed the national guidance and an independent green belt review, so the highest quality land could be protected.  

Speaking at a public meeting organised by London Colney and Colney Heath Parish Councils, Paul de Kort, Liberal Democrat Leader of St Albans District Council, said:

“St Albans District Council will fight for you and object to this site in the strongest terms. We will make the case to the planning inspector that we believe Hertsmere has not followed government criteria, has not followed the right methodology, and is dumping houses on our border for politically motivated reasons.

“As well as objecting in the current consultation, St Albans District Council will position itself to have a seat at the table during the inspector's hearing of the Hertsmere Local Plan if the Bowmans Cross site remains in the final submission. This will allow the Council to get these arguments properly aired in front of independent experts."

Tony Lillico, Liberal Democrat district councillor for London Colney and Chair of London Colney Parish Council, said:

"It’s outrageous that a neighbouring Labour led council is prepared to show such disrespect for the residents of London Colney and Colney Heath, by dumping their problem on our border to duck the political pressure that the national top-down targets place on us all."

Daisy Cooper, Liberal Democrat MP for St Albans, added:

“It’s infuriating that whilst our Lib Dem led council here in St Albans has followed national planning regulations to meet demanding government top-down housing numbers whilst protecting precious greenbelt land, neighbouring Hertsmere appear to be disregarding these national rules just so they can dump a new site on our doorstep, and away from theirs.

“I encourage all local residents in London Colney and Colney Heath to object to this site - including on the basis of the site being “dumped” in a location without the necessary infrastructure - so the issue cannot be ignored as Hertsmere’s Local Plan goes through the inspection process.”