More than 100 residents attended a meeting last night (Tuesday) to discuss a planning application that could see a developer build more than 1,000 new homes on Green Belt land.

The meeting was held after Bloor Homes’ submitted a planning application to North Herts District Council (NHDC) outlining its intention for the site situated between Cockernhoe and Tea Green – which falls into North Herts and would impact on villages in the area, including Offley and Lilley.

The meeting held at Breachwood Green Village Hall gave members of the public the chance to raise their concerns about the development, which could see 1,050 homes, 40% of which could be affordable housing.

The developer also wants to create parks and allotments, new footpaths and cycleways, and a new primary school and shops at the site, known as Wandon Park.

Simon Ellis, principal planning officer at NHDC addressed the meeting, outlining the proposal and its potential affect on the Green Belt countryside adjacent to Luton’s border.

David Wynne, spokesman for opposition group Keep East of Luton Green, spoke about the groups concerns, which include unsatisfactory provision for school places, transport difficulties, destruction of green belt space, and the drain on medical care and access for emergency services.

Contributors at the meeting included Hertfordshire county councillor and district councillor David Barnard, who explained that there will be a increase in vehicular movements, which if combined with the proposed increase in the operation at Luton Airport, will make it impossible to access Luton town centre, schools, M1 motorway and airport.

For more information on the campaign, visit www.cpreherts.org.uk.

Planning objections should be addressed to eastofluton@north-herts.gov.uk The deadline is November 15.