The council has allocated five sites in Bushey and Bushey Heath to build 143 houses, including building on land that is already occupied.

Hertsmere Borough Council released its site allocations plan last month, which sets out where developments could take place over the next 15 years.

The report reveals Hertsmere has set aside room for 651 houses across the borough, 143 of which could be built in Bushey and Bushey Heath.

The largest development could take place on land off Rossway Drive, where the council estimates there is room for 61 homes.

There is potential for a "mix of houses" including a majority of two and three bedroom homes.

Elsewhere, 39 new flats and/or houses could be built in Birchvillle Court which is currently a nursing home.

Another site that has been earmarked that is already in use is Europcar House in Aldenham Road. The council believes 19 new homes could be built on the site, which currently houses the UK headquarters of car rental firm Europccar.

The council said the design and layout of the new development "should create a stronger building line, improve the streetscene and provide a better relationship with other surrounding properties".

A further 24 houses or flats could be built in the surrounding areas, with 13 flats on the land at Bushey Hall Golf Club and another 11 on the land at Lincoln Field.

The document also sets out plans for three additional pitches on the Sandy Lane traveller site in Bushey, subject to a flood risk assessment. The current 30 pitches will be retained, along with the pitches at One Acre in Aldenham and The Conifers in Elton Way.

With regard to the Green Belt Boundary, it is proposed that the boundary at the Print Works at Bushey Hall Golf Course and Spire Hospital on Heathbourne Road is amended so that it no longer forms part of the Green Belt.

Councillor Harvey Cohen said: "These are critical plans which we want people to give us their views on as they will have an impact on people and the communities they live in.

"We have responsibilities to provide adequate land for development, whether that is for retail or for new homes, but we also want to ensure our high streets are supported, that our communities are safe and pleasant places in which to live and work, that areas are protected and that all the needs of our diverse communities are met.

"The government also introduced a National Planning Policy Framework in 2012 which includes a requirement for councils to have a clear presumption in favour of sustainable development in their plans.

"Sometimes that does mean that we have to make difficult local decisions and so we are inviting residents to get involved in the consultation so we can continue to make well-informed judgements about the area and its future."

The site allocation document went out for public consultation at the beginning of this month and will last six weeks.

As part of the consultation, letters will be sent to residents who will be directly affected by certain significant proposals. To be added to the mailing list for the consultation email local.plan@hertsmere.gov.uk