Campaigners against plans to build an extra 4,200 homes in the area say the publication of the proposed changes to the draft East of England Plan has been delayed and is now expected next month.

The draft report says more than half a million new homes will be needed in the East of England by 2021.

It's recommended that a total of 10,000 new homes, 4,200 more than originally envisaged, could be built in the Welwyn Hatfield area.

In paragraph 5.131 of the report it states that Welwyn Hatfield could make the extra contribution to the projected housing need because 'prospects for economic growth are favourable.'

To download a .pdf file of the report, click here. To download the appendices, click here.

The North Mymms District Green Belt Society (NMDGBS) has been campaigning against the building of the extra homes because it fears some would have to be built on green belt land.

The society has held public meetings and delivered surveys to every home in the parish. As a result, 658 people responded to a survey which was organised to gauge public opinion.

On Friday, 10 November, the survey was handed to Welwyn Hatfield Councillor Mandy Perkins by the area's Conservative MP, Grant Shapps, who is also campaigning against the proposal.

With the MP was the NMDGBS committee member, Mike Willis, the society's secretary, Bob Horrocks, the society's new president, Gary Mabbutt, Claire Taylor, who chairs the NMDGBS, and the retiring society president, Bob Wilson.

The publication of the government's proposed changes is now expected next month. There will then be a 12 week consultation period starting after the festive holidays.

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10 November 2006