PEOPLE power is in the news this week as three residents' groups fight to save their local environment from unwanted development.

The much anticipated public inquiry into plans to build a motorway service station near Redbourn opened yesterday (Tuesday) to scenes of mass protest from angry villagers.

Redbourn Against This Motorway Service Area (Rams) has spent more than a year raising money to instruct counsel to present the village's opposition at the inquiry and the group's efforts will doubtless have a major bearing on the inspector's final decision.

Protesters also gathered outside Oaklands College this week to campaign against St Albans Sand and Gravel's plans to develop the site.

Residents feel the proposals will blight their lives and eventually hope to celebrate like people in Wheathampstead, who are delighted at the district council's decision to fight Redland Aggregate's bid to restore Blackbridge Tip.

In all three cases, the community has come together and refused to bow to powerful developers without a fight, proving once again that we can all make a difference if we care enough and stand up for our rights.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.