Leach Fields entrance blocked

Metal fences have been erected at the Bluebridge Road entrance to Leach Fields by the developer Leach Homes.

The area, frequented for years by local walkers, was blocked on the same day as the first public meeting was being held about increased housing provision in the area.

The future of the area has been uncertain since the turn of the year after Leach Homes refused to extend the lease on the land, which had been been rented by been rented by Gobions Woodland Trust (GWT) for use as a nature conservation area for the benefit of wildlife and people.

Wildlife area

The fields are part of the Moffats Meadows wildlife site, WS150, as designated in the Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council district plan and have been part of the regular surveys of butterflies that recorded such rare species as the White Letter Hairstreak. Grass snakes, a protected species, have also been recorded, along with more than 100 species of native grasses and flowers,

Housing public meeting

A few hours later, just up the road at the Brookmans Park United Reformed Church, local residents joined a public meeting called by the North Mymms District Green Belt Society (NMDGBS) to discuss housing proposals for the area.

The NMDGBS says the East of England Plan requires 10,000 new homes be build in Welwyn Hatfield between 2001 and 20021, with a further 5,000 by 2031.The organisation says there could be 361 new homes at Brookmans Park, 283 at Welham Green and 104 at Little Heath.

More public meetings planned

Monday 30 March 2009: North Mymms Youth and Community Centre, Station Road, behind the catholic church, starting at 8pm. This meeting will concentrate on housing options affecting Welham Green, which are Parsonage Farm (between the village and the A1001 South Way) and Marshmoor.

Wednesday 1 April 2009: Potters Bar United Reformed Church, Darkes Lane starting at 8pm. This meeting will concentrate on housing options affecting Little Heath, which are to build east of Little Heath. Again, suggested response forms will be available.

The NMDGBS says the council's consultation period runs to 30 April 2009.

Forum discussions

You can discuss Leach Fields and the green belt and local housing in this site's forum.

23 March 2009