Council and democracy

6. Reducing the impact of new development on the environment

Hertfordshire is one of Britain’s most densely populated counties and is under threat from over development. Situated immediately north of London, it's sandwiched between Stansted and Luton airports and crossed by major roads.

The county is under extreme pressure to accommodate thousands of new homes in the proposed major greenfield housing developments. The report of the panel, looking into the East of England Plan, recommends 83,200 new homes in Hertfordshire. Together with the expansion of the airports, these all present challenges to our commitment to sustainable development.

The likely scale of development has significant implications for Hertfordshire’s current settlements, infrastructure and physical environment.