Dozens of people packed into a church hall last night to find out about potential development in the area.

Cllr Harvey Cohen, responsible for leading the Local Plan in Hertsmere, spoke at St Teresa’s Parish Hall in Borehamwood at the Elstree & Borehamwood Residents’ Association (EBRA) meeting.

It was a record attendance for EBRA who host monthly meetings.

Cllr Cohen explained the importance of the public getting involved in the consultation period which ends on December 20.

Hertsmere Borough Council is seeking views on which sites may be most suitable for development after landowners put forward a number of suggestions to help meet the housing targets set by the government.

Questions were put forward to Cllr Cohen who explained not every site listed will be developed and said it was up to neighbours to come up with planning policy reasons for a site not to be developed.

These could include concerns over infrastructure, traffic, wildlife and more.

The audience questioned loss of the green belt particularly around Elstree with some concerns raised about the possible loss of land for Cecil’s Horse Sanctuary which could be turned into a care home.

Despite the planning committee approving outline planning permission for a primary school and homes in Potters Lane, some campaigners still claimed the area wasn’t suitable for homes.

Cllr Cohen acknowledged infrastructure has to come but says it is out of the control of the borough council with issues like surgeries, schools, and roads under the responsibility of the county council and the clinical commissioning group.

Several councillors, who represent Elstree, Borehamwood, and Shenley, were in attendance and Cllr Cohen added that last night’s meeting was an extra consultation opportunity ahead of an exhibition at St Teresa’s Parish Hall today between 4pm and 8pm.

To have your say and sign up to take part in the consultation online, click here.

You can also write to the council at: Planning Strategy Team, Hertsmere Borough Council, Civic Offices, Elstree Way, Borehamwood, Herts, WD6 1WA.