A community group is set to host a public meeting to outline concerns about a field that is threatened by the development of 350 homes and a primary school.

The land at Harts Farm in Little Bushey Lane in Bushey was among many sites revealed in Hertsmere Borough Council's draft local plan.

The council has been tasked by the Government to find space for around 12,000 new homes by 2038 and the plan, if adopted, will see Hertsmere's protected green belt reduced by five per cent to 75 per cent.

Little Bushey Community is a campaign group formed in 2018 which is fighting to protect the borough's green belt land. A site the group is particularly concerned about is Harts Farm.

Group member Nik Oakley says Harts Farm is a century old farm that has been a working livery stable for decades.

Watford Observer: Harts Farm land. Credit: Little Bushey CommunityHarts Farm land. Credit: Little Bushey Community

She says if this proposal goes through, it will "decimate" the farm and add 1,200 cars into Little Bushey Lane, lead to longer waiting times at the doctors, lead to widespread loss of wildlife, have no accessible public transport, and cause additional flooding.

On October 2, Little Bushey Lane flooded next to the Harts Farm land and stables.

Watford Observer: Flooding in Little Bushey Lane at the beginning of this month. Credit: Little Bushey CommunityFlooding in Little Bushey Lane at the beginning of this month. Credit: Little Bushey Community

In a bid to widen support for their campaign, members of Little Bushey Community are holding a meeting from 8pm on Wednesday October 13 at the Metroplitan Bushey in Aldenham Road to inform people about the proposal and tell them how to get involved in the draft local plan consultation, which begins on October 11.

Ms Oakley said: "We want to inform as many residents as possible about these plans for development and how Hertsmere want nearly 3,000 houses in total across Bushey.

"This is a special piece of land from our heritage that we must fight to save."

Watford Observer: Three sites in Bushey selected in Hertsmere' draft local plan to be developed. The middle site is Harts Farm. Credit: Google MapsThree sites in Bushey selected in Hertsmere' draft local plan to be developed. The middle site is Harts Farm. Credit: Google Maps

Ms Oakley, who is also chairman of the Bushey Labour Group, says the housing targets set for Hertsmere are "outdated" and called on the council to fill empty properties across the borough first or build on brownfield sites.

At a full council meeting on September 30, responding to a question about targets from Bushey Liberal Democrat councillor Alan Matthews, Cllr Harvey Cohen, who is leading on planning, said the council would "certainly review" its draft local plan numbers but only if the Government made an announcement about a change in the "standard methodology" - the system used to calculate targets.

Watford Observer: A protest held outside the council offices in Borehamwood on September by campaigners seeking to save green belt landA protest held outside the council offices in Borehamwood on September by campaigners seeking to save green belt land (Image: Newsquest)

Related: Protest takes place in Hertsmere over housing plans on green belt

After the meeting, the Conservative councillor said: "From October 11, everyone will be able to have their say about the proposals in our draft local plan.

"Preparing a local plan is a complex process, and we still have some way to go. The public can help us with that by giving their views. In addition, we'll be looking to engage with a range of local groups and stakeholders.

"A newsletter explaining how you can have your say will be posted through doors shortly. In the meantime, you can find out more about the plan and the proposals for growth by visiting our bespoke website www.hertsmerelocalplan.com."