Councils row over 'greenfield' homes

Stevenage need affordable housing, says the borough

Plans to cut the number of homes being built on greenfield land to the west of Stevenage, have been rejected by county councillors.

Hertfordshire County Council wants to stop the building of homes on greenfield land near the town.

But Stevenage Borough councillors want the development.

On Monday, officials from Stevenage will formally inform the county council the houses are needed because of a shortage of affordable homes in the area.

Hertfordshire needs good quality affordable homes in well-planned developments with appropriate facilities

Brian Hall, leader of Stevenage Borough Council

John Gardner, the executive councillor on the environment and the economy, said if the 5,000 homes were not built by 2016 it was likely to create problems for the town.

"The need for affordable homes is a major problem for Stevenage," he said.

'Unnecessary concrete'

Brian Hall, leader of Stevenage Borough Council, said: "The council feels strongly that doing nothing is not an option, if we are to properly plan housing development over the next 10 years.

"Hertfordshire needs good quality affordable homes in well-planned developments with appropriate facilities."

Iris Tarry, executive member on environment for Hertfordshire County Council, said the county believed the necessary homes could be built in the region on brownfield (urban) land.

The county's preferred option for the new structure plan would not include development of land to the west of Stevenage.

"We don't want to have to pour unnecessary concrete over our green fields," she said.