The absurd and unworkable proposals being put forward, by Conservative-controlled Herfordshire County Council, for housing stand in stark contrast to Surrey County Council.

Surrey, as a county, resembles Hertfordshire more than any other. Both have similar challenges, in terms of where to put the much-needed housing, and both have Conservative-controlled county councils (though with 51 Conservative councillors Surrey is more heavily Tory than Hertfordshire). But this is where the similarities end.

Firstly, in investigating how many homes could be reasonably put in existing towns, Surrey did a joint 'Urban Capacity Study' with its district councils, so there was agreement. Hertfordshire County Council did its own separately from its district councils, with the inevitable result of a huge gap between results. The districts found 35,600 new homes could be fitted into our towns, just. But the county Tories have come up with cramming in 49,200.

Secondly, when Surrey and its districts concluded that not all of its new houses could be crammed into its existing towns without unacceptable pressures on schools, health facilities and traffic, they proposed a sustainable development of 6,000 new homes between Guilford and Woking. What have Hertfordshire Tories done? Decided to abandon the sustainable development of 5,000 homes already planned for West of Stevenage, and instead to cram, cram, cram all of us in the Hertfordshire towns.

It's good to know that at least Surrey Tories are sensible and realistic. If the Hertfordshire County Council Tory majority of just three could be swapped with three from Surrey, maybe we could get planning rather than cramming.

Councillor Brian York,

Borehamwood South,

Hertfordshire County Council.

July 3, 2002 16:00