SOUTH West Hertfordshire MP Richard Page has hit out at plans to build 130 houses on the Old Merchant Taylor's playing fields in Croxley Green.

The 20-acre sports ground was earmarked for housing development in August last year to help fulfill Three Rivers District Council's obligation to find 4,000 new homes in the district by 2011.

The planning inspector has now submitted his report and it is expected to leave the way clear for developers Barretts to make a planning application.

But development cannot start before the end of 2001, as this is the earliest that Old Merchant Taylor's Sports Club would not be able to move from the site.

As well as criticising the proposals, Mr Page has written to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Environment Beverley Hughes, asking her to consider calling in the application.

Mr Page said: 'I am being asked how it is that house building is going to be allowed on these local playing fields, in view of the Government's commitment to protect local playing fields.

'There appears to be an enthusiasm to cover Hertfordshire in concrete and destroy the attractive environment. If I wanted an inner-city constituency, I would have put my name down for one.

'I have appealed directly to the Minister to call in the planning application and preserve these playing fields. The Government should keep its promise to protect them.

'I am asking the Government to put its money where its mouth is. Let's have some substance and cut out the spin.'

In his letter to Ms Hughes, he wrote: 'Your department will be aware that I have consistently argued and campaigned against the excessive number of houses to be built which is being imposed on Hertfordshire.

'If, to protect the playing fields, it means calling in the application, then that means you have my full support.'

However, Mr Oliver Hammond, chairman of the Old Merchant Taylor's Site Action Group, was cautious in his optimism. He said: 'Richard Page seems to be making the right noises but now we need to see how much influence he has.

'The point he makes about loss of playing fields is a very valid one. It is our understanding that for this to happen there must be replacement playing fields.

'The OMT Society have not given sufficient assurances that this will be the case and we will be fighting Hell for leather on this issue.'

Leader of the council Ann Shaw said: 'At the moment there is no planning application so I would question whether Mr Page is in possesion of all the facts.

'However, I am delighted he is supporting the Three Rivers District Council policy of preserving green spaces. We would much rather keep the site as playing fields.

'It is central Government legislation that has put local people in this situation.'

A spokesman for the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions said that it was their policy not to comment on cases that are yet to be resolved.