Environmental campaigners were toasting victory this week after the borough council agreed to replant a woodland area in Borehamwood which it bulldozed two months ago.

Hertsmere Borough Council cleared an acre of Potters Wood, off Potters Lane, in May to make space for a new children's play area, but quickly received objections from residents.

An action group, Residents Association in the Interests of Studio Estate (RAISE), was formed to urge the council to drop this plan and another to build a basketball court at the site.

Following a meeting with RAISE last week, the council announced that it would replant the cleared woodland and consult residents further about the basketball court proposal.

A spokesman for RAISE said: "People want to see the woodland returned and we are pleased the council has agreed to replant it."

Although the council said it asked residents about its play area plan, RAISE members claimed they were not consulted and carried out their own survey.

More than 400 residents were asked for their views, and 90 per cent of those who responded wanted the trees replanted and did not want a basketball court.

The court was planned to go on a green recreational space next to the cleared woodland, but residents fear it would attract vandals, drug-users and troublemakers from other areas.

The spokesman said: "They all feel it is a very good area where you can go with young children and let them run about nobody wants it changed."

RAISE also wants the council to remove a car park next to Potters Wood because cars are dumped there.

The council said it would consult residents about the future of the recreation area and a decision would be taken once responses had been received.

A council spokesperson said: "In terms of the wood, the replanting and other initiatives from the council will go a long way towards alleviating the concerns of the residents."

July 3, 2002 15:30