Our campaign to stop the Luton invasion into Hertfordshire Green Belt is gathering pace as the consultation period begins. Over 100 readers have already signed up to our petition against Bedfordshire proposals to build thousands of homes and a Luton ring

Our campaign to stop the Luton invasion into Hertfordshire Green Belt is gathering pace as the consultation period begins.

Over 100 readers have already signed up to our petition against Bedfordshire proposals to build thousands of homes and a Luton ring road on precious Herts countryside. And as the eight-week public consultation period begins tomorrow (Friday) we are urging even more to sign up.

From Friday objectors can also go to www.shapeyourfuture.org.uk where all the information about the proposals and how to object will be available.

And information will also be available on Tuesday in Lilley at the first of a series of public meetings where the North Herts District Council (NHDC) planning officer will be on hand to answer questions.

Describing the plans, David Barnard, chairman of the NHDC southern rural committee which represents the threatened area, said: "Sometimes we feel there is a special department in Luton Town Hall with instructions to torment the residents of North Hertfordshire.

"Historically we've repelled plans to expand Luton Airport into our beautiful countryside, then plans to put a sports ground in Putteridgebury. Now they want to build a Luton bypass round Lilley to the A6. This would link into another along Lilley Bottom and up through Tea Green to the airport.

"This would be funded on the back of 5,500 new homes proposed around Mangrove Green, Tea Green, Cockernhoe and along Lilley Bottom, and an industrial estate between Luton Airport and Darley Hall.

"We really need to object in the strongest terms."

Capturing the beauty of the threatened area was the aim of a competition set up by photographic equipment supplier John Pearce, a member of the Keep East Of Luton Green action group. Chris Howe from Whitwell won all three categories in the competition - wildlife, people and landscape.

"It was planned to raise awareness of the expansion in what is an area of outstanding natural beauty, of the wildlife and the people who work in the area.

"People don't believe that one county can build in another. There needs to be an awareness and for people to have an opinion," Mr Pearce said.

To sign up to our petition and add your voice to the protest click the Stop The Luton Invasion button at www.thecomet24.co.uk

Public meetings:

St Ippolyts, April 27

St Pauls Walden, April 29

Lilley, May 7

Kimpton, May 12

Breachwood Green, May 20

Keep East of Luton Green protest march:

From Cockernhoe village green, 12 noon, May 3

Object in writing to:

Joint Technical Unit

Regus House

960 Capability Green

Luton LU1 3PE