Three Rivers leader will 'stand up and fight' for green belt

Liberal Democrat councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst, who is at the helm of Three Rivers District Council, warned that “precious” countryside is at risk after the new Labour government brought in higher development targets, in a letter sent to the Watford Observer.

In July, the district council agreed on a “low growth” local plan, which would see around 4,850 homes built by 2041, or less than half of the previous government target of 11,000 units which has now been raised to 13,300.

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst at a green belt site in Abbots Langley. (Image: Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst) Cllr Giles-Medhurst said that targets left the authority in a “difficult” position as 76 per cent of its area is designated as green belt.

He added: “I and the majority of the council have been clear that the housing targets set by central government do not take account of either local news nor of green belt circumstances. 

“We certainly could not find enough sites for the then Conservative government’s 12,600 so how could we find sites for the Labour’s now suggested 13,300!”

In response, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said all areas must “play their part” in ending the housing crisis.

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​The council leader denied the authority was acting as “NIMBYs”, an acronym for “not in my back yard”, as he claimed they had allocated all the available brownfield and some "low to moderate" harm green belt sites for housing.

He called instead for more powers to force the owners’ of empty or derelict sites to sell them to build new housing.

Plans for up to 600 homes on green belt fields near Whippendell Wood are in the pipeline. (Image: RPS Consulting Services) “What is the point of local councils and councillors if all they can do is do as they are told by Whitehall and the government?” he added. “We have a duty to stand up for our area and fight our corner. 

“We may not win, and we could be overruled and have powers taken away but if we do not stand you for what we think is right, what is our purpose?”

The new Labour government has vowed to build £1.5m new homes over the next five years. (Image: PA) A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “We are in a housing crisis and all areas of the country, including Hertfordshire, must play their part in ending it by building the homes we need. 

“We will work in partnership with councils and take a brownfield-first approach to building, so sites which people are desperate to see used will be developed first.

"We will also use lower quality ‘grey belt’ land, like wasteland or old car parks, and introduce ‘golden rules’ to ensure that development benefits both communities and nature.”