A meeting to explain how to object to plans to build a housing development on a greenfield site saw around 200 villagers turn up on Sunday.

Members of the public crammed into Walkern Primary School’s hall as the parish council hosted a meeting on plans by Gladman Developments to build 98 homes on land east of Aubries and south of Froghall Lane.

The number is more than double the approximate figure of 47 homes earmarked to be built in Walkern through to 2031 under East Herts Council’s draft Local Plan.

Parish council chairman Steve Jenner said: “I thought it was a significant number of people who came to a meeting of which the sole purpose was to explain how they can object.

“We do not have a view point as a council – our role is to reflect the views of our parishioners.”

Chris O’Brien has set up campaign group Walkern Action in protest of the plans. He said: “I was blown away by the local turnout. It shows how much people care about this issue and their opposition against it.

“It is a national problem which has landed on our doorstep. This is not about nimbyism – we appreciate that more housing needs to be built in Walkern – but about opposing unsustainable development.”

To have your say before the January 26 deadline email planning@eastherts.gov.uk or write to Tim Hagyard, East Herts Council, Wallfields, Pegs Lane, Hertford, SG13 8EQ.

For more about the campaign group visit www.walkernaction.org, www.facebook.com/walkernaction or follow @walkernaction on Twitter.