A campaign has called for supporters to turn out in force as a public inquiry looms on controversial Green Belt housing plans.

The decision on whether 135 homes can be built at the Rectory Farm site in Kings Langley will be made through a meeting at The Forum, Hemel Hempstead, from 9.30am on Tuesday (April 9).

Kings Langley District and Residents Association has been raising money to take a professional role in the inquiry for the planning appeal. It has already gathered more than £10,000, but estimated £20,000 would be needed to cover consultant and legal costs.

The group has been preparing by filling out an “enormous” amount of paperwork, reading reports, briefing professionals, and answering questions to ensure residents’ voices are heard.

It is now urging anyone who is free on Tuesday to attend the inquiry, which will also be streamed online, and show their support.

Campaign website Green Belt Matters claims that allowing the appeal would “open the floodgates” for more protected Green Belt fields to be taken to appeal.

Watford Observer: The Rectory Farm site from above.The Rectory Farm site from above. (Image: KL&DRA)

In many residents' view, losing green space between nearby towns could lead to Kings Langley practically merging with Nash Mills and Abbots Langley and therefore losing its character as a village.

When Dacorum Borough Council rejected the planning application, it listed four reasons for rejection, including the overall harm to the Green Belt and three reasons relating to technical agreements over transport and affordable housing.

Watford Observer: Rectory Farm.Rectory Farm. (Image: Kings Langley and District Residents Association)

Making the case for the project when the appeal began, on January 8, a spokesperson for developer Cala Homes and Angle Property said: “We believe this sustainably located site will provide many benefits to the local community.

“By lodging the appeal, we hope to provide 135 much-needed new homes, of which 40 per cent will be affordable, offering a range of options for buyers.”

It also highlighted benefits of the plan including a café, workshop, orchards, allotments, repair shed, cycle hub, and a new country park to open to the public with play areas.