CONSERVATIVE THREAT TO SOUTH OXHEY OVER YET MORE NEW HOUSING

BORIS Johnson’s Conservative government is demanding that over 10,500 new homes must be built in Three Rivers in just over fifteen years.

The Tories increased the housing target from 180 a year to over 600 every year in a move which immediately put local sites and Green Belt land under threat.

Liberal Democrat-run Three Rivers Council has the job of working out where the new homes could go and is formulating a new local plan running to 2038. It has identified sites which would meet the target in full.

Labour has backed calls to get the numbers lowered. “Boris Johnson’s Conservatives are piling on the pressure here. That puts already developed so-called ‘brownfield’ sites’ under threat, but as almost 80% of Three Rivers is Green Belt, that is also in danger. The government must stop and listen, not bulldoze ahead regardless,” said Councillor Stephen Cox.

Consultation - your views sought

Now Three Rivers Council has launched a public consultation on potential housing sites which now runs until 20 August (this date was extended after our newsletter stating a deadline of 23 July was published).

So far, the council is deliberately failing to meet the target. It is a move which, as their own website points out, could ultimately see a government inspector saying where the shortfall would go and leave local people with no say on the matter if the ruling Liberal Democrats don’t get their act together.

South Oxhey has got away relatively lightly this time, but ‘brownfield’ sites such as garage blocks in Blackford Road, Prestwick Road (behind the Dick Whittington pub) and Woodhall Lane together with Northwick Day Centre (previously identified) are in the firing line.
Three Rivers council believes the former Sir James Altham pool site and open land behind Lytham Avenue could have 43 homes built on it.

Oxhey Jets football ground, which was originally under threat, was saved from development after a successful campaign by the club and local residents backed by your Labour councillors.

Neighbouring Carpenders Park has not fared well and a number of sites have been earmarked there for almost 1,500 homes which will impact on South Oxhey, including land to the south of Little Oxhey Lane (shown below) which is lined up for a whopping 678 home development.

Two sites to accommodate another large chunk of development - 634 homes - have also been identified along the A4008 on the right as you travel towards Watford.

Kebbell House and land to the rear of Delta Gain is also likely to be developed. This will add to traffic problems especially on the narrow bridge over the railway line.

“I would urge local residents to respond to the consultation and have their say. There are no easy choices. As always, it will be your Labour team sticking up for South Oxhey with the others trying to build all over it,” said Councillor Stephen Cox.

Figures released by the Electoral Commission show that in the first quarter of this year, property developers gave the Conservative Party almost £900,000.

details of potential housing sites are available at www.threerivers.gov.uk