In November, Hertswood Academy ended months of speculation by confirming it planned to sell part of its site to developers and use the proceeds to build a brand new school.

Headteacher Peter Gillett and chairman of governors Graham Taylor said the entire school would relocate to the Cowley Hill site, while the Thrift Farm Lane site, which houses the Ark Theatre, would be demolished for housing.

The school will submit a planning application early in 2014.

If granted, it would move all pupils to temporary classrooms at the end of July 2014, and the new school would be open by September 2016.

Also in November, neighbours gave a thumbs-down to plans to regenerate the Elstree Way Corridor at two heated public meetings.

More than 140 people turned up to the civic offices, in Elstree Way, Borehamwood, to hear about proposals to build 800 new homes at the gateway to Borehamwood town centre from the A1(M) to the Tesco roundabout.

Angry residents said the town did not have the infrastructure to accommodate more housing.

Meanwhile, a pub was forced to shut its doors and call the police after it was inundated by crowds of people.

Police reported hundreds of drinkers, believed to be travellers, had gathered at the pub in the early evening.

Eyewitness said around 20 police cars and four vans were at the scene with teams of police dogs, who remained there until late into the night.

No crimes were committed, but residents said the mass of people had caused chaos and left them feeling scared to live in the area.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives increased their majority in Hertsmere after Councillor Susan Maughan defected from the Labour Party.

Cllr Maughan, who represents Kenilworth for Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council and Brookmeadow for Hertsmere Borough Council, said she could best serve her community by joining the Tories.

However Labour councilors accused her of betraying them and demanded she resign her seat.
Later in the month, a man accused a councillor of bullying him into a corner after she told him to "get a life".

Justin Tepper organised a petition calling for Councillor Susan Maughan, to stand down, leading Councillor Sandra Parnell to take to Facebook to make the comment. 

Her words provoked anger from residents who accused her of showing a lack of respect for the electorate.