The future of Aldenham Reservoir will be decided next week and a residents association is appealing for more objections.

Liberty Lake Leisure Ltd, formerly known as Liberty Aldenham, withdrew an application to build 150 new homes on the Green Belt land in Aldenham Reservoir, a third of which would have been affordable housing.

The developer resubmitted a planning application to Hertsmere Borough Council’s planning committee and the future of the reservoir will be decided on October 13.

The Elstree and Borehamwood Residents Association (EBRA) has been campaigning to stop Liberty Lake Leisure Ltd from building on the land and they are now appealing for more residents to object to the application.

Suzanne Alford, EBRA committee member, said: “Only that This is good news for now but we are concerned that Liberty Lake Leisure Ltd will not learn anything from this second repeat of their application and will just keep wasting time going after this Green Belt land rather than going for plan B and resolving this matter once and for all.

“Their approach to date has been very disrespectful to the local community, stakeholders and to the users of Aldenham Country Park.”

Liberty Lake Leisure Ltd bought the lake from the previous owner Safari Investments after an earlier scheme to repair it in return for permission to build homes was rejected.

Oliver Bridge, a resident in Borehamwood and who is against the application, said: “The traffic in Elstree village is bad enough already and 150 new homes will make it much worse.

“We have got to do all we can to protect the Green Belt and I am sure the majority of Borehamwood and Elstree residents will vote against this planning application once they are aware of what it proposes.

“Liberty Aldenham have bought the reservoir and it is their responsibility to look after it, not blackmail the local community with threats to fill it in if they do not get permission to build these houses.”

MP for Hertsmere Oliver Dowden has also been following the developments with Aldenham Reservoir and held a meeting with representatives of Liberty Lake Leisure Ltd in April.

Mr Dowden has urged those concerned with the future of the reservoir to make their views known.

Nitin Gosrani from Liberty Lake Leisure Ltd said: “Over the past four years we have listened to residents, businesses and local stakeholders and we are grateful for the support received. 

"Residents, stakeholders and the local Green Belt Society have welcomed our plans for private and affordable homes, which will release substantial funds to ensure the Reservoir and Mere can stay open for the community to enjoy in perpetuity.”

Hertsmere Borough Council’s planning department has recommended the application to be refused by the planning department at the next meeting on October 13.

Anyone who wishes to comment on the application can still do so up until October 12 by emailing planning@hertsmere.gov.uk.