Our local Natural Health Service

Our Green Spaces Assist our Health & WellBeing 

The KL&DRA champions our local countryside because we know how vital it is for our health and wellbeing. This terrible pandemic and the threat of climate change has reinforced just how much we all need and value the local environment and do not want to be the generation that destroys it.

Recent research by the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE)* and the Office for National Statistics (ONS)** shows:

• Over two thirds of us want to see our local green spaces enhanced with more plants and wildlife; and

• 1 in 5 Londoners lack access to a garden, so daily exercise in nearby countryside, parks and other green spaces became a lifeline to many.

Our own village poll in 2017, showed 99% of residents in Kings Langley were opposed to any Green Belt development.

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The CPRE asked over 2,000 people for their views, and 70% said they would like to see these green spaces enhanced, to make the local countryside even better. Over half said they’d like to see more wildlife including birds, butterflies and bees, and a similar proportion said they want more variety in the trees, shrubs, hedgerows, plants and flowers.

From the research, it seems most of us really value more rich and diverse areas in which to rest, recharge and play. Thirty per cent said that they’d like to see more wildness, where nature has been allowed to ‘take over’. The majority of the public want to be able to explore and exercise safely in these green spaces with over a third wanting more signposted walks, with paths and local plant life nurtured and maintained.

Sadly, the loss of our green areas is accelerating, with the government setting huge housing targets for local councils to meet. We hope that if they are serious about learning all the lessons of the pandemic, they use Local Plans and planning reforms to enhance and value our most precious spaces.  We need to protect our local Natural Health Service.

* we-want-richer-green-spaces

** accesstogardensandpublicgreenspaceingreatbritain

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Rectory Farm planning application withdrawn

As reported in the July / August 2020 issue of Kings Langley Village News, The planning application for 89 residential units on Rectory Farm, including 34 on the Green Belt, has been withdrawn. 

This is despite senior officers at Dacorum Borough Council (DBC) encouraging a major development on the site and a significant amount of time and money being spent by the owners Angle Property.

Thanks to local residents, we know that in total there were 181 objections on the Dacorum planning portal, with only 5 responses supporting the development; there were also 443 emails opposing the application. This reflects the vote opposing any Green Belt development in the village in the Parish Poll 3 years ago.

Dacorum Borough  Council confirmed it was not just the level of opposition and the inappropriate development on the Green Belt that were of significant concern. Both Hertfordshire Highways and the Local Flood Authority raised a number of objections to the application, including the new junction on the Hempstead Road (unnecessary) and the risk of flooding (higher than Angle would wish to acknowledge).  There were also concerns raised by Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, the Environment Agency and the Canal and Rivers Trust.

This is brilliant news for Kings Langley villagers and demonstrates that local people can make a difference and that every individual can influence decision-making at every level. The KL&DRA will continue to fight to protect Rectory Farm and other Green Belt sites as attempts to build large developments on these sites will re-surface in the Local Plan. This is not because we are opposed to housing developments, but because we are opposed to the loss of any Green Belt. Recent weeks have shown how important our green spaces are and their future must be safeguarded for our children.

It is not just development in the village which local people should be concerned about. “We appear to be facing potentially 7 developments on Home Park Mill Link Road, Station Road and Primrose Hill just across the canal which will add nearly 300 properties to the immediate area before the formal house building plans of Dacorum or Three Rivers are published.

Where are the additional residents going to look for shopping, schools, healthcare services, parking? There is no additional infrastructure planned for Kings Langley to support any of this. The reason people love this village is because they enjoy the green spaces and relaxed atmosphere. This will disappear if the cumulative impact of all this house building on village life is ignored by builders or planners.

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Please Join the KL&DRA 100 Club

The KL&DRA has a 100 Club to help pay for ongoing expenses such as website charges and internet costs, membership of associated organisations and expenses.  Members pay £5 per month for each number by standing order and can have as many numbers as they wish.  The total amount received each month is split 50/50 between the Association and the prize fund from which 5 prizes will be drawn.  The amount of each prize is a percentage of the total received ranging from 25% for the first prize to 3% for the fifth.  

If you would like to support the Association this way please email residents@greenbeltmatters.com with how many numbers you would like and we will send you the membership form and payment details.

100 Club FAQs can be found here and the 100 Club Rules are here.

Follow us on Facebook to help us raise awareness and find out more of what we are doing.

Thank you to all these businesses helping to support our campaign

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Get in touch if you would also like to help us 

Froxx                                      Provident Wealth Ltd                        Billybird Books                               Clements Estate Agency

Dallings                                 Gary Jobsey & Co                                Business Film Booth

Total Flooring                    Lydia Berman Creative                     Bite Me Marketing

KINGS LANGLEY & DISTRICT RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION