Thousands of people who objected to a plan by neighbouring councils to build on a vast area of countryside in North Herts will have to wait for a response to their concerns after the long-awaited announcement was delayed. The response, by councillors on

Thousands of people who objected to a plan by neighbouring councils to build on a vast area of countryside in North Herts will have to wait for a response to their concerns after the long-awaited announcement was delayed.

The response, by councillors on the Luton and South Beds planning committee who propose to build 5,500 homes and a Luton bypass on Green Belt land in the Lilley valley, was due tomorrow (Friday) but will now not happen until October 23.

A spokesman for Luton Borough Council said it was decided to cancel the meeting because more time was needed to prepare a report.

North Herts District Council, which is opposed to the plan which would enable the neighbouring councils to meet their government housing targets outside their borders, estimates 7,500 objections were sent during a consultation period on the plans earlier this year.

David Barnard, NHDC southern rural committee chairman, estimates the figure is nearer 9,000 and the process has been delayed because the rest of these responses have only now been discovered.

When asked about this, the joint committee failed to respond.