“I knew I would not become a rich man milking cows but I like my way of life.”

These are words of a farmer who may lose his livelihood if 1,000 new homes are built on his land - one of Hertfordshire’s two remaining Jersey dairy farms.

Dacorum Borough Council will outline land for development when it launches its initial Local Plan consultation on Wednesday, November 1.

The sites being considered include four areas within the Green Belt – Shendish, Hill Farm, Rectory Farm and also Wayside Farm, in Kings Langley – home to Charlie Wray’s cattle for the last 37 years.

Mr Wray says he was initially told 300 homes were being considered for the 160-acre county council-owned site.

However, it has since come to light that the figure could be closer to 1,000 homes, plus office space, and Mr Wray is concerned about the effect this will have on the levels of traffic and school places in the village.

The 61-year-old, who lives at the farm with his partner and 40-year-old son, said: “I wish I really knew what was going on as I do not want to lose my home.

“The village just cannot cope with this development as there is not the infrastructure. It will almost double the population, and we will not be able to cope with it.”

“My business only works because of the location of the farm. People from all over the south east come to buy milk. I’m too old to go off and start somewhere new.”

Cllr Alan Anderson, who represents Kings Langley, said he was “concerned for all the sites involved”.

The consultation focusses on the council’s “issues and options” report, which looks at the challenges facing the borough over the next two decades.

Graham Sutton, who represents planning and regeneration, said: “The council needs to continue to plan positively for regeneration and growth, and in doing so some difficult decisions will need to be made.

“Given the limited amount of available land in the borough and significant environmental constraints, it will be vital that the right balance is struck between new development and protecting the character of our towns, villages and countryside, which we value so greatly.

“Please respond to this consultation and encourage others to do so too. We have yet to make any decisions on what the plan should contain, and your views will help us to draw up our new local plan.”

The consultation closes at midnight on Wednesday, December 13.

Kings Langley Parish Council has organised an extraordinary parish meeting at 7.30pm on November 14 at Kings Langley School to discuss the issues and options consultation.

Watford Observer:

160 acres of land at Wayside Farm in Kings Langley could be turned into 1,000 homes