A huge area of green belt land is being eyed for up to 700 homes, with a planning application seemingly on its way.

Hertsmere councillors have said they were informed of Clarion Housing's intention to build the homes, a primary school, retail and office space, a community hub, and an 18-hectare park to the north of Farm Way, Bushey, on Sunday (August 5).

Half of the housing would apparently be designated as affordable, with the rest being open market and senior living properties.

The land is owned by the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which has confirmed plans are in the works but no formal documents have gone in.

Cllr Miles Ponder in the land.Cllr Miles Ponder in the land. (Image: Hertsmere Liberal Democrats)

Instead, the developer was writing to inform councillors that designs are being prepared and that it is planning to hold a community engagement event after the summer holidays.

It will also be  submitting pre-application documents to Hertsmere Borough Council.

The site was removed from the area’s draft local plan (keeping it in the green belt) earlier this year after its proposed inclusion sparked “save our field” protests in Bushey.

Residents claimed nearby infrastructure would not be able to support the traffic it would create and were also concerned over the site’s proximity to Elstree Aerodrome and potential loss of green space.

Update: A spokesperson for Latimer by Clarion Housing Group, Hill, and The Masonic Charitable Foundation said: “Compass Park is a unique opportunity within Hertsmere to create a landscape-led sustainable new neighbourhood that can deliver much-needed affordable, open market and senior living housing for local people, alongside new amenities which will benefit existing and new residents. 

“This includes space for a new primary school, retail and flexible office space, a community hub and the creation of Bushey’s largest community park through the opening of historic parkland for the first time. 

“We are still at a very early stage in our design process but have begun to reach out to local stakeholders and our closest neighbours to introduce ourselves as the team responsible for this project.

"Engagement with stakeholders and especially the local community is at the forefront of our minds and we will be carrying out a consultation with a first series of events after the summer holidays.

"There will be plenty of opportunities for local people to meet with us and discuss the designs as they develop.”

The land, north of Farm Way.The land, north of Farm Way. (Image: Hertsmere Liberal Democrats)