Campaigners fighting a mooted 4,000 plus home garden village say they will hold a silent protest to demonstrate the way in which they have been “silenced” during a consultation.

As part of Hertsmere’s local plan, a new garden village is proposed on the outskirts of London Colney close to the M25 and Tyttenhanger.

It would include thousands of new homes as well as new schools and surgeries.

Brett Ellis, who lives in London Colney, has been fighting for months against the possible development which he believes will “triple” the size of London Colney.

Hertsmere Borough Council is hosting five exhibitions across the borough but not in London Colney.

The green belt land in question for development falls within Hertsmere however people living in London Colney, for which this project would most affect, live in St Albans district.

Mr Ellis is demanding representatives from Hertsmere engage with people living in his village. He ran a poll in his group, Campaign for Colney, and more than 100 people unanimously agreed the council should organise meetings in London Colney.

Watford Observer:

The proposed garden village site

At a public exhibition at Shenley Primary School on November 21, Mr Ellis and fellow protesters say they will tape their mouths to signify how they feel “silenced” by the local plan consultation.

He said: “This will help show the strength of local feeling against the proposed Redwell development, as well as protect the green belt and demand that Hertsmere belatedly fully engage with London Colney residents.”

Cllr Harvey Cohen, who is heading up the local plan in Hertsmere, says the exhibition in Shenley provides an opportunity for those in London Colney to engage in the process.

He said: “We want to hear views from London Colney and Colney Heath residents. That’s why the council’s communications team has been issuing a raft of publicity over recent weeks, including online promotion, advertising on our waste vehicles and distributing newsletters to households in London Colney and Colney Heath and other areas.

“Our publicity explains what stage we are at with developing our new Local Plan and the stages yet to come, which will bring further opportunities for engagement and consultation, including with residents outside our borough.

“Residents from neighbouring boroughs and districts are also welcome to come along to any of our five exhibitions that are taking place this month. There’s one at Shenley Primary School on 21 November between 4pm and 8pm.”

Visit www.hertsmere.gov.uk/newlocalplan to have your say online and find out more.

An exhibition is being held at St Margaret’s Sports Centre in Bushey from 4pm-8pm today. (Wednesday).