RESIDENTS RALLY: Development threatening to take away vital green space opposed by Croxley residents

Residents in a block of flats in Croxley are outraged by a planning application which threatens to build new homes on a green space which is vital to the community.

The residents who live in the flats on Sycamore Road treasure the area which IS in some ways a garden to many.

However, a planning application to Three Rivers District Council (TRDC) has threatened to take this away by building a block of six flats and three homes.

Jonathan Cox, who lives in the flats, said the residents aren’t opposed to developments in Croxley but the fact that this development threatens a vital green space.

He said: “It’s a nice communal garden which is shared by 33 different flats. There are a lot of people who need and would like to use this space.

“They’re planning on building on a big chunk of that field which is often used for communal events such as firework parties and summer parties.”

Jonathan added that the development could have a detrimental effect on the local wildlife.

He said: “There is a lot of wildlife, such as bats which are obviously protected species, muntjacs and a lot of rare species of bird.

“It’s right next to a hedgerow and it’s undoubtedly going to create an issue for the wildlife.”

Jonathan said his six-year-old niece Imogen has also done her bit to contact the council to try and stop the development and protect the area which she loves.

In an email to TRDC she said: “I have been there, and I don’t think there should be more flats in the garden because people need gardens and if people are shielding and they can’t go out. They need fresh air, or they could get very poorly. I have been to the events like the bonfire one and lots of people looked like they enjoyed themselves and it would be sad if they couldn’t do it anymore.”

Nick Kebbell, managing director for Kebbell Homes, the applicant said: “With the shortage of housing putting pressure on development of the green belt. Kebbell Homes consider this to be the ideal time to renew its interest in developing this land; land that the company has owned for many years.”