Why are all of the Hertsmere sites identified in the Scott Wilson report on Green Belt land?
All of the borough’s towns are tightly surrounded by the Green Belt and 80% of Hertsmere is Green Belt. There are just no suitable non Green Belt sites available in Hertsmere. Any potential sites are already allocated for housing development, employment use or public open space. In areas such as South West Herts it is almost inevitable that if some additional sites are to be found they will be in the Green Belt. The same will apply to a number of new homes we are required to provide and the Government has also stated that councils may have to use Green Belt land if there are not enough urban areas for future development. All four existing Gypsy and Traveller sites in Hertsmere are in the Green Belt.
