The future prosperity and tranquillity of village life were among the many topical subjects debated at last night’s inaugural Croxley Green Question Time event.

Nearly 150 people squeezed into the assembly hall at Harvey Road School to hear a local political panel tackle a range of topical audience questions.

The event, organised by the Croxley Green Residents’ Association, brought together a five member panel consisting of David Gauke MP, Three Rivers District Council leader Ann Shaw, County Councillor Steve Drury, parish council chairman Marion Birch, and association chairman Barry Grant.

Under the watchful chairmanship of deputy chairman Stephen “David Dimbleby” Martin, they debated sky-high house prices, future housing developments, the possible building of a new school, the lack of youth provision, the future of local businesses and (even) the precise nature of the Big Society.

After a brief mix-and-mingle event – designed to promote various community groups – and a rousing performance by a parents’ choir, members were first asked whether the continued pressure for housing developments risked “hemming the village in.”

Mr Gauke said more houses were needed in the area but warned that unchecked development risked “fundamentally changing the character of the community.”

Councillor Shaw, who had complained bitterly at the now defunct centralised housing targets, risked a hostile response by suggesting the village had actually “got away lightly” with new developments.

Speaking above light-hearted heckles, she said: “Croxley Green has got away quite lightly compared with other parts of the district, where hundreds of houses have been built. But I am quite clear that we can protect Croxley Green and protect the green belt.” Councillor Shaw later urged a greater understanding of the planning laws – something that would better deter unwelcome future developments.

Next on the agenda was a question about the county council’s five shortlisted sites for a new secondary school, three of which are in the village. The panel was asked which was most appropriate.

Councillor Steve Drury said all the shortlisted village sites were inappropriate and instead gave his support to a proposed site in Maple Cross. He warned however that Croxley’s Durrrants site – the only one actually owned by the council – is likely to be sold off to a housing developer if is not selected – a deal that would help pay for the school.

Councillor Birch, going slightly off topic, argued that the new school would be built in the wrong place which ever of the shortlisted sites are selected later in the year. Children in South Oxhey, she said, still had no local school of their own.

In response to a question about the provision of youth services form the Guild of Sport, Mr Grant said the village had been worrying about the exact same problem for more than 50 years and suggested that the solution centred on increased adult volunteering.

Mr Gauke, to warm applause, praised the existing “excellent” facilities (such as the Scouts and the Guild) but said many potential volunteers were being put off “overly bureaucratic ret tape” like repeated CRB checks.

He said: “That is the sort of thing that makes people pull their hair out and makes them less likely to volunteer.”

With minds firmly on the impending Tesco development on Watford road, the panel was asked about the future viability if independent retailers.

Mr Gauke argued that the solution to keeping shops open was simple: “use them or lose them.”

Turning to the vexed issue of the Big Society (when asked if the idea had been stolen from the village) he described Croxley Green as an example for the rest of the country to follow. He said: “The big society is about people coming together and seeing what can make a difference to their community. Croxley Green is an area where it works very well.”

With the evening progressing well the panel then tackled the equally tricky issue of a possible new leisure centre in the village. Councillor Shaw, whose administration was widely criticised for its handling of the recent William Penn project in Rickmansworth, said it was “an absolutely splendid idea” but warned it would take many years to come to fruition.

Mr Grant said the issue should, at the very least, be put in the next LDF (Local Development Framework) to put if firmly in the agenda.

Finally, the panel tackled the issue of the former York Road School, the subject of an ongoing planning dispute. They agreed by consensus that the best option (with the best chance of maintaining its Victorian facade) was to push for a “sympathetic residential development.” As explained by Councillor Shaw, there is nothing to prevent the building’s current owners from demolishing it as it lacks listed status.

Did you attend last night’s event? What did you think of the panel’s arguments? Let us know by commenting below.