Campaigners believe a nearby aerodrome could have an impact on whether a potential development of more than 800 homes is given the green light.

Neighbours are battling to “save their field” after green belt land off Farm Way in Bushey was put forward as a housing site in Hertsmere’s local plan.

Hertsmere Borough Council is currently consulting with people across the borough to gauge which sites may be most suitable for future housing.

Watford Observer:

Infrastructure and traffic are among the reasons why protesters believe Farm Way should not be considered but nearby Elstree Aerodrome and numerous wildlife which live in the field is what they are focusing their fight on.

Roger Rowson, 72, who lives in Middle Furlong, said: “I am really concerned this development falls under the flight path for the aerodrome. There are several journeys to and from the site. When I spoke to the manager, he told me how many training flights they have.

"They use the fields to fly over for safety reasons, because it is a large site, and also cut down on noise pollution. They wouldn’t want to take-off over a built up area. It makes it unsuitable for building."

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Miles Ponder, who created his own leaflets to raise awareness, said: “There is the wildlife. Buzzards, Red Kites, Barn Owls and Tawny Owls all live in the fields along with a number of other breeds of birds. Sparrow Hawks have also been seen before.

“There are bats in the summer along with badgers, squirrels, rabbits and field mice. They would lose their homes and both children and adults would lose a place they can see local wildlife. The land also forms a natural barrier between Bushey and North Bushey.”

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Michelle Revens added: “The green space is the reason we moved here. We love going on nature walks and looking out the window across the fields. I regularly see a variety of birds of prey flying around, I'm guessing they enjoy the green space, too.”

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Michelle Revens son in the Farm Way field

Elstree Aerodrome is yet to submit its consultation response.

A spokesman for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on General Aviation said: “Whilst we appreciate there is an urgent need for housing this development is in entirely the wrong place.

“We will be writing to the local planning authority to set out in full our objections but they threaten the viability of Elstree Aerodrome for several reasons, safety being one of them.”

Watford Observer:

The land in question is within the red square on the left

Visit https://www.hertsmere.gov.uk/Planning--Building-Control/Planning-Policy/Local-Plan/New-Local-Plan-Planning-for-Growth.aspx to have your say and find out more about the local plan.