Services in Potters Bar which are ‘already strained’ could see further problems if places to build new homes go forward, according to a residents’ group.

The Little Heath Action Group is campaigning against proposals to build over 100 new houses on green belt land in Little Heath.

Transport, medical and school services in Potters Bar the group said were already oversubscribed would be pushed further by the occupants of the new homes, who would also be dependent on them.

Oliver Dowden, MP for Hertsmere, pledged his renewed support for the campaign at a meeting of the action group on Wednesday (September 21), where he called on concerned local residents to join the campaign.

The Conservative MP said: “I was glad to see the meeting was so well attended and my own concerns about these developments remain unchanged.

“Potters Bar’s schools, roads and doctors will have to bear the brunt of the increased demand that will result from the doubling of Little Heath’s population.

“Local councils have a duty to co-operate when drawing up their plans and I will continue to work with the Action Group to fight these developments.

“I would encourage all local people with similar reservations to get involved with this campaign.”

On June 13, Welwyn Hatfield Council planning committee voted by six to four to approve a draft local plan which deemed the Little Heath site suitable for development and the plans were agreed upon by the council in August.

An independent planning inspector will be examining whether the Council has met the legal requirements for the preparation of the plan and whether it is sound.

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council is undertaking a final public consultation until Monday October 24.

Mr Dowden plans on responding to the final consultation and said he would encourage others to do so as well.