The Elstree & Borehamwood Green Belt Society held a meeting this week to discuss the threat to green belt land in the area.

On the day Hertsmere Borough Council launched its draft local plan consultation, experts gave advice on how best the community can make any objections they wish to make.

The draft local plan has revealed which land across Hertsmere is most at risk of being built on to meet Government housing targets of at least 760 homes per year by the end of 2038.

There are also sites that have been earmarked for new employment space, such as a huge film studios off Rowley Lane in Well End, next door to the Sky Studios under construction.

Chris Berry, from independent environmental charity CPRE Hertfordshire, was among those to present at the meeting held at Allum Hall on Monday and answer questions from members of the public.

Dr Ann Goddard, chairman of the Elstree & Borehamwood Green Belt Society, said: "Chris gave valuable guidance on tackling planning authorities and warned us that Hertfordshire and Surrey were the two counties which posed the most threat to green belt overriding legal restraints on building on it. He told us that every objection counted.

A lively question and answer session followed and then speakers from Woodcock Hill Village Green Society, Elstree Village Society, Well End Ers, Radlett Green Belt and Village Society, Aldenham Parish Council and Allum Lane Field Association, and our society spoke about their local anxieties.

"The overload of new housing, loss of green belt and traffic congestion with pollution featured largely. The impact of the proposed film studios in Rowley Lane was also discussed.

"We felt much better armed for the debate on the new local plan."

The council's draft local plan is out for public consultation until December 6. Visit www.hertsmerelocalplan.com for more information and to get involved.