Plans for around 300 homes and a primary school have been unveiled on “special” farmland which campaigners said last year has to be “saved”.

Redrow Homes has earmarked a new development at Harts Farm, which is situated off Little Bushey Lane in Bushey.

A planning application submitted to Hertsmere Borough Council in late June reveals Redrow wants to build up to 310 homes and community facilities, as well as make space available for a school, on the green belt land.

A planning statement says the scheme would provide “much needed” housing for the area adding that 40 per cent of the homes would be designated as affordable, although it does not state what type of affordable housing.

The housebuilder proposes to build a range of housing types, sizes, and tenures in order to “improve housing choice” for Bushey.

Watford Observer: This land within the red line that Redrow Homes wants to build on. Credit: Google MapsThis land within the red line that Redrow Homes wants to build on. Credit: Google Maps

At this time, the developer is seeking outline planning permission which means a more detailed application will still need to be submitted.

Last year, Harts Farm was listed as suitable to build on to meet Government housing targets in the council’s draft local plan.

Amid the threat to Harts Farm, campaign group Little Bushey Community organised an awareness meeting in the autumn.

Read more: Meeting as campaigners fight to save field and stables from development

Watford Observer: Horses at Harts Farm. Credit: Little Bushey CommunityHorses at Harts Farm. Credit: Little Bushey Community

Nik Oakley, a spokesperson for the group, said the farmland would be “decimated” and also raised concerns about extra traffic, wildlife, and the impact on local infrastructure.

She added: "This is a special piece of land from our heritage that we must fight to save."

Watford Observer: The Little Bushey Community put this banner up last year when there were fears as many as 350 homes and a school could be built at Harts FarmThe Little Bushey Community put this banner up last year when there were fears as many as 350 homes and a school could be built at Harts Farm

This green belt application is one of a number that have come forward in recent weeks and months in Hertsmere.

Others include up to 177 homes off London Road and up to 46 homes in Harris Lane – both in Shenley – and 195 homes between Shenley Hill and Theobald Street in Radlett.

Sky Studios has also announced expansion plans at its complex in Borehamwood, while plans for a solar farm between Elstree and Radlett have been appealed and resubmitted.

Watford Observer: How Sky Studios Elstree in Borehamwood, which is under construction, could be expanded (shown beyond the treeline to the rear of the site in this CGI). Credit: Sky StudiosHow Sky Studios Elstree in Borehamwood, which is under construction, could be expanded (shown beyond the treeline to the rear of the site in this CGI). Credit: Sky Studios

The council’s member for planning, Harvey Cohen, warned there was a “risk of speculative applications for development coming forward” after councillors agreed to “shelve” the draft local plan in the spring due to a lack of public support.

Read more: Next steps agreed on local plan after thousands hit out at green belt threat

The Harts Farm application can be found on the council planning portal via reference 22/1071/OUT.