A GROUP of residents have joined forces to fight the increasing number of unwelcome planning applications in the area.

The group, from the Hartsbourne Manor estate, Bushey Heath have teamed up to help keep each other informed about developers looking to secure permission to build large new homes or flats in place of existing houses.

Bungalows and ex-Ministry of Defence houses in the leafy area, once in the grounds of Hartsbourne Manor House, are increasingly becoming targets for builders looking to construct huge houses.

Indeed, construction of a cluster of new houses and a separate six-bedroom house in Prowse Avenue, as well as a new property in Hartsbourne Avenue are already under way.

And plans are currently being considered by Hertsmere Borough Council to redevelop more other properties in the neighbouring roads for use as flats.

Residents have also claimed they have been offered more than double the value of their house by developers on the condition that planning permission for replacement dwellings has already been secured.

Paul Morris, chairman of the new Hartsbourne Manor Residents Association and a resident of Prowse Avenue, says he is hoping to prevent applications for large numbers of flats sneaking through unnoticed.

"The way things are going, you never ever know what is going to be permitted because what they say one day is different the next.

"And to change the area into something which is then dominated by flats and obscures the views of the countryside would be somewhat of an eyesore and would destroy what is really a tranquil area."

The concern comes as local councils across the south of England are being put under increasing pressure from the Government to find space for new housing.

In December 2004, the Regional Spatial Strategy for the East of England, set Hertfordshire a target of building almost 80,000 new homes by 2021. Of that, 4,200 homes were earmarked for Hertsmere.

However, that figure has now been raised to a minimum of 5,000 new homes.