The police were called to Bushey by a tractor driver after protesters tried to stop him "vandalising" a trio of much-loved fields.
Residents were left "upset and worried" after spotting the tractor churning up the previously "lush green grass" off Farm Way on Tuesday.
The privately-owned fields have been earmarked for 750 homes as part of Hertsmere Borough Council's draft local plan - which only went out to public consultation on Monday.
Those fighting to protect the fields managed to temporarily stop the tractor driver from ploughing a field after stationing themselves in front of the vehicle.
But the tractor driver called the police and Hertfordshire Constabulary has confirmed officers attended at around midday, spoke with the protesters, who police say agreed to move away from the tractor, allowing the ploughing to continue.
A spokesperson for the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which owns the land, has told the Observer the recent activity on the site relates to "continued farming" of the green belt land - but residents say the land has been "untouched" for years.
Towards the beginning of October, the land was sprayed - reportedly killing the grass - and then a strip of land in one of the fields was ploughed, before a tractor returned on Tuesday to finish ploughing the rest of the field and two others.
Miles Ponder, who has created banners and leaflets and even a website in the fight to save the fields north off Farm Way, said: "I can understand why people were so upset because it was a day after the consultation launched, so to suddenly see it ploughed up in a vicious way, people were worried about what was happening."
Mr Ponder, whose home backs onto the fields, added: "I've lived here 11 years and I have never seen this land ploughed. Maybe it happened decades ago but it has been a long long time since they used it to grow crops.
"Everyone is upset by the timing of it, it seems like a strange coincidence. These fields were a sanctuary for people during lockdown and they are still used by hundreds of people but now except the two public footpaths, it has been made inaccessible."
Lee Taylor, who was at the fields on Tuesday, but not involved in the protest, said: "This was lush green grass with all sorts of wildlife and now it has been vandalised and looks like a wasteland and it is disgusting.
"I've lived here for six years and it has always been a place that we've enjoyed. When I learnt this was a big part of the local plan, I was disgusted because it makes a mockery of the green belt. It is just a travesty and a disaster."
A spokesperson for the Masonic Charitable Foundation said: "We can confirm land was sprayed off at Little Bushey Lane as part of normal crop rotation and land management practices.
"The land is in the process of being ploughed, and will then be sown with a crop for harvesting in 2022, and sale into the food chain.
"The land at Little Bushey Lane has been identified in the Hertsmere local plan as a possible location for new development, but until the local plan is finalised, the Masonic Charitable Foundation will continue to farm the land."
Hertsmere Borough Council's draft local plan is currently out for consultation. The council confirmed yesterday the consultation has been extended for a further two weeks, ending on December 6.
Related: Draft local plan consultation in Hertsmere extended by two weeks
The local plan is a document that will set out development in Hertsmere up until the end of 2038. This includes where homes are likely to be built and where new employment spaces will be created.
Visit www.hertsmerelocalplan.com for more information.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel