The public consultation on the East of England Plan commenced 8 December. Members of the public have until 5pm on 15 March 2005 to make their views known. The Plan was approved by the (East of England Regional Assembly EERA) on 5 November and has been submitted to the Deputy Prime Minister. It sets out the strategy for development, particularly housing, in the Region up to 2021. As you may have seen in the local press, the plan requires at least 79,600 houses to be built in Hertfordshire, many on green fields, adding considerable strain to our already overburdened infrastructure, and losing still more of our countryside.

The plan will be deposited in public libraries and those with internet access can viewed and download it from the EERA website, www.eera.gov.uk EERA will be mounting a series of roadshows to present the plan in January 2005: 10 January at the Stevenage Leisure Centre, 31 January at County Hall, Hertford, both at 10.30am. If you would like to attend, and if you care about your county you should, call 01284 729442 for a booking form. The County Council, and some district and parish councils will also be holding public meetings throughout the County. It is absolutely essential that all Hertfordshire residents who are concerned about the future of the County respond to this consultation. EERA must be made aware of the strength and depth of feeling these proposals before the plan goes on to the next stage, which will be an Examination in Public.

source: Hertfordshire Mercury