Gypsies and homes plan protest

A petition has been launched against a plan for up to 200 homes and five gypsy pitches in Tring

The proposals – made under the LA5 masterplan of Dacorum Borough Council’s core strategy for development until 2031 – were first announced a few weeks ago.

They are being drawn up in anticipation of population growth and a new demand for homes in Tring, where more than 11,500 people now live.

The planned homes would be built on Green Belt land in west Tring alongside an expansion of the cemetery and industrial estate between Icknield Way and Aylesbury Way.

A consultation on the plans was being held at the Temperance Hall in Christchurch Road, Tring, yesterday as the Gazette was going to press.

Protesters gathered outside of St Peter & St Paul Church in Tring on Saturday to encourage people to sign a petition against the plans. It is still available via the Everything Tring Facebook page.

Andrea Lane, 62, of Highfield Road, was among the protestors. A walkway from the development will lead to her street if it goes ahead.

She said: “How are the doctors going to cope? We already have trouble getting appointments. How are the schools going to cope? They are talking about 30 extra places in every year for every school across Tring. How are they going to fit them in? They already have quite big classes.”

The proposals have been strongly opposed by South West Herts UKIP candidate and Tring man Mark Anderson, who will stand for the party in the 2015 general election.

Current Tory MP for the area David Gauke did not reply to the Gazette’s requests for a comment when the plan first came to light three weeks ago.

He has now said: “It is the case that, as a country, we do need to build more homes if we want the aspiration of home ownership to be achieved by the many and not just the few.

“However, I know that Tring residents are concerned about how the town’s infrastructure will cope and whether undue priority has been given to travellers’ sites. I have raised these points with Dacorum Borough Council and look forward to a response.”

A full explanation of the plans is available at www.dacorum.gov.uk/siteallocations

Have your say at consult.dacorum.gov.uk or call the strategic planning team on 01442 228072 or email [email protected] to learn more.