The MP for Hemel Hempstead is backing hundreds of villagers who are concerned about four Greenfield sites being “overdeveloped”.

Mike Penning attended a parish meeting at Kings Langley School on Tuesday November 14 to support 800 people who turned up to object Dacorum Borough Council’s initial local plan.

The sites being considered include four areas within the Green Belt – Shendish, Hill Farm, Rectory Farm and also Wayside Farm, in Kings Langley.

Mr Penning said he was “appalled” the plans were being considered.

He said: “I totally support the Parish Council and the newly reformed Kings Langley Residents Association on this. Overdevelopment of Kings Langley would change the village forever. These four large sites would join the village to Hemel Hempstead.

“I am also particularly opposed to proposals to develop one of the few remaining dairy farms in the borough.

“Wayside Farm is a successful enterprise and I will do everything I possibly can to prevent the eviction of the tenant farmer to allow mass development of the site. I am frankly appalled that it is even being considered.”

Councillor Alan Anderson, who represents Kings Langley, added: “'I am grateful to Sir Mike for providing another channel by which the residents of our village can make their views known.

“The Borough Council faces some very difficult decisions, and anything that could be done to prevent the development of the Green Belt is much appreciated.”

Farmer Charlie Wray says he was initially told 300 homes were being considered for his 160-acre county council-owned Wayside Farm, which has been home to his cattle for the last 37 years.

However, it was later revealed that the figure could be closer to 1,000 homes and he could lose his livelihood if he has to leave the farm.

After the meeting last week, Mr Wray said: “I was gobsmacked at the amount of support and the number of people who turned up to the meeting.

“I do feel there could be an alternative site that could be used for more homes- particularly as there are plenty of brownfield sites around Kings Langley.”

James Doe, Dacorum Borough Council’s assistant director planning, development and regeneration, said: “Dacorum Borough Council is at the very early stages of preparing the new Local Pan for the area and carrying out the Issues and Options consultation.

"In terms of Kings Langley, the growth proposals range from an option that would require no development in fields surrounding the village, through to an option which would require the use of land that is currently undeveloped.

"As part of considering these options we are asking for feedback on a range of sites that have been put forward by landowners and developers. The Council has not yet made any decisions about whether any of these sites will actually need to be earmarked for development and will not do so until later in 2018 when we have had a chance to consider all of the responses received to the consultation and to discuss issues raised with key infrastructure providers.

“The ability of the infrastructure such as schools, roads and health facilities to cope with any increase in local population will be a key factor that will help us decide on which level of growth will ultimately be chosen for both the village and the Borough as a whole."

A spokesperson for Hertfordshire County Council added: “As part of the preparations for their new Local Plan, the Borough council is looking to identify potential areas for housing and economic development.

“This process includes pinpointing available land and how it can best meet the borough’s development needs. We have been asked for details about land owned by the county council to consider if our land holdings are available, suitable and achievable.

“This could eventually mean that some holdings will be put forward and potentially included within the draft Local Plans but this could be many years into the future."

For more information on the Local Plan consultation, visit: www.dacorum.gov.uk/newlocalplan

The consultation for the local plan closes at midnight on Wednesday, December 13.