Hertsmere plans spark Green Belt and transport fears
New housing developments near Barnet's border raise concerns over infrastructure and congestion.
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The central claim is attributed to the Barnet Society, but no other independent sources or official documents are cited.
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The article clearly separates fact from opinion and provides specific details about the proposed developments.
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Hertsmere Borough Council is seeking public opinion on significant new housing proposals that could affect areas bordering Barnet. The plans include the development of Bowmans Cross, a new township intended to house 5,000 residents, on land currently designated as Green Belt. This is part of a wider draft Local Plan for Hertsmere, which outlines further housing projects and infrastructure changes for the period 2026-2041.
Details of Hertsmere's Local Plan
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The draft Local Plan details several key developments. South of Borehamwood, 392 houses are planned. Additionally, 1,292 houses are proposed for an area south of Potters Bar. The plan also includes proposals for expansion at the Sky studios site north-east of Borehamwood, three data centres between South Mimms and Potters Bar, and a new employment site south-east of M25 Junction 24. The Barnet Society has noted that these proposals involve the loss of 720 hectares of Green Belt land, an area they describe as significantly larger than Hadley Common and Hadley Wood combined.
Concerns over Transport and Congestion
The Barnet Society has expressed significant concerns regarding the potential impact of these developments on transport infrastructure. They highlight that the plans provide little detail on necessary transport improvements, which they deem vital for the success of the new developments, particularly in rural parts of Hertsmere. Barnet already experiences road and parking congestion due to commuters travelling into London from Hertfordshire. The society suggests that building new homes and workplaces near Barnet's border is likely to worsen these existing strains. The proposed Bowmans Cross development, while adjacent to the M25, faces issues with existing congestion and lacks a railway station or plans for rapid transit. Proposed bus services, including a shuttle to Potters Bar station, are seen as insufficient to support a development of this scale.
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Bowmans Cross Development Details
The Bowmans Cross development is planned for open fields and former sand and gravel quarries near the M25, north of North Mymms. The initial phase aims for 2,500 homes by 2041, with a long-term goal of 5,000 homes. While the application includes visualisations of green spaces and mentions a commitment to sustainability, the Barnet Society notes that firm commitments to exemplary environmental standards are absent. For example, new homes are only guaranteed to be net zero 'where viable', and a site-wide heat network is not currently considered viable. The society views the application as potentially offering little more than a dormitory estate, falling short of government aspirations for well-connected, sustainable new towns.
How to Submit Feedback
Residents and interested parties have until November 17th to submit their views on the planning application for Bowmans Cross. A separate deadline of November 19th applies for feedback on Hertsmere's draft Local Plan. Details on how to access the relevant documents and submit representations are available through Hertsmere Borough Council's consultation portal.
Questions this report answers
+What is Hertsmere Borough Council proposing?
Hertsmere Borough Council is proposing several new housing developments. These include a new 5,000-home township called Bowmans Cross on Green Belt land, 392 houses south of Borehamwood, and 1,292 houses south of Potters Bar. These are part of their draft Local Plan for 2026-2041.
+What are the main concerns raised by the Barnet Society?
The Barnet Society is concerned about the impact of these developments on transport infrastructure and increased road congestion. They also highlight the loss of Green Belt land and question the sustainability commitments within the plans, particularly for Bowmans Cross.
+When are the deadlines for submitting comments?
The deadline for submitting views on the Bowmans Cross planning application is November 17th. The deadline for submitting comments on Hertsmere's draft Local Plan is November 19th. Both are for the year 2024.
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