Organisations come together to form 'One Voice' against Dacorum Borough Council's Local Plan

A number of organisations in Dacorum have come together to form 'One Voice' to oppose the council's Local Plan.

The Chiltern Society, Chiltern Countryside Group, Grove Fields Residents Association (GFRA), Berkhamsted Residents Action Group (BRAG), Kings Langley and District Residents Association (KL&DRA), Berkhamsted Citizens and Tring in Transition have formed the 'One Voice' alliance.

Dacorum Borough Council is urging residents to have their say and help shape the borough's Local Plan. In November, the council launched the consultation on the Emerging Strategy for Growth – the next step to creating the new Dacorum Local Plan 2020-2038.

In a statement sent to The Gazette 'One Voice' said: "We the Chiltern Society, Chiltern Countryside Group, Grove Fields Residents Association (GFRA), Berkhamsted Residents Action Group (BRAG), Kings Langley & District Residents Association (KL&DRA), Berkhamsted Citizens and Tring in Transition as the 'One Voice' alliance, oppose the 'Dacorum Local Plan - Emerging Strategy for Growth' because:They say they oppose the 'Dacorum Local Plan - Emerging Strategy for Growth' because:

> Whilst the policy on biodiversity is clear, the emerging plan is not explicit enough in terms of how Dacorum Borough Council will work with developers and other stakeholders to mitigate Green Belt loss, increase biodiversity and meet National and Hertfordshire’s goals for climate change and carbon reduction

> The proposed number of houses to be built should be significantly lower than the target to reflect actual demonstrable need for housing and the high proportion of Green Belt and AONB land in Dacorum, with a primary focus on affordable starter homes

> A higher proportion of the houses should be built on brownfield land, or established through conversions, in the existing urban areas of Hemel Hempstead, Tring, Berkhamsted and Kings Langley, and away from areas located in the Green Belt (which should only be used in exceptional circumstances) and the Chilterns AONB and its setting.

"While not members of the Alliance, the Chilterns Conservation Board and CPRE Hertfordshire are working closely as advisors to the One Voice alliance."

Dacorum Borough Council would like as many people as possible to take part in the consultation on the Local Plan, and extended the deadline in January to allow people longer to respond. The consultation closes at 11.59pm on Sunday, February 28.

For more information about the Local Plan and details of how to take part in the consultation visit www.dacorum.gov.uk/localplan.

Comments on the consultation can be submitted by:

> Post: Strategic Planning, Dacorum Borough Council. The Forum, Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. HP1 1DN

> Email: [email protected]

> Using the online consultation portal.

Read: Council urges residents to have their say and help shape Dacorum's Local PlanThe Gazette contacted Dacorum Borough Council for a comment but the council did not want to make a comment at this time.