Residents in Leavesden have welcomed the news that a greenbelt field backing onto their homes has not been submitted to the government for potential new housing.

Three Rivers Council has refused to include a greenbelt field backing onto their homes in the list of sites that the council has to submit to the government for potential new housing by 2021.

The greenbelt field, currently used for grazing, backs onto Woodside Road, Orchard Avenue and Meadowside in Leavesden.

Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst led the campaign to get the site rejected, which had been suggested by its owners for the development of 100 houses.

He said: “I am delighted.

“This is a victory for common sense as it would have seen the potential loss of all the green belt fields as far a High Elms Lane.

“Just putting this field in means that there is no natural countryside boundary to the urban area.

“We must protect our green belt for future generation.”

The site formed part of the consultation by Three Rivers Council, as part of its requirement by the Labour government to nominate development sites for up to 3,200 new homes in the area by 2021.

Almost 300 objections were received to get the site rejected, a clear majority against including the site. Councillor Giles-Medhurst convinced the council to recommend its removal from the list, which it has done.

Lilian Johnson, of Orchard Avenue, said: "The green belt here is part of our natural outlook and this protects it.

“This is very welcome news."