A community fears their population could grow by nearly 50 per cent if plans for just under a thousand homes go ahead.

Residents are fighting proposals to build on several sites in and around Radlett as part of Hertsmere Borough Council's local plan process.

The council has released a list of sites deemed appropriate to build on to meet Government housing targets of at least 760 per year until 2038.

Among land in Radlett at risk is land north of Watford Road (300 homes), and land off Shenley Hill (195) with a further 215 homes across four more sites.

Borehamwood Times: A banner calling for the green belt in Radlett to be protected. Credit: Save Radlett Facebook A banner calling for the green belt in Radlett to be protected. Credit: Save Radlett Facebook

In a bid to stop the plans, campaigners launched a 'Save Radlett' group, and held a meeting involving more than 150 people in mid-November to discuss the best ways of opposing. They have also thrown up banners and a blimp around the area with the tagline 'save our green belt'.

Borehamwood Times: The blimp over Radlett. Credit: Save Radlett FacebookThe blimp over Radlett. Credit: Save Radlett Facebook

Save Radlett co-founder Stephen Balsam, who has lived in the village since the 1980s, said: "We wanted to create awareness within the community because I was out speaking to people and they had no idea what was planned.

"What's being planned would desecrate the parish and we haven't got the space or infrastructure to cope with these new homes. It could increase the population by 40 plus per cent and bring an additional 2,000 cars to Radlett.

"None of the (housing) sites are reasonable because they are green belt and no one wants home on green belt. This would ruin Radlett."

Borehamwood Times: Credit: Save Radlett Facebook Credit: Save Radlett Facebook

Mr Balsam, 63, has also questioned just how affordable the new properties will be with Radlett among the most expensive places to live in England, let alone Hertfordshire.

At the community meeting held on November 15 at Radlett Cricket Club, Mr Balsam says the public heard speeches from Chris Berry, from environmental charity CPRE Hertfordshire, and Borehamwood Labour councillor Michelle Vince.

Conservative councillors from Hertsmere and Aldenham Parish Council were also in attendance.

Borehamwood Times: A meeting was held at Radlett Cricket Club in mid-November. Credit: Save Radlett A meeting was held at Radlett Cricket Club in mid-November. Credit: Save Radlett

Mr Balsam continued: "The housing targets we are being given are out of date and they don't stack up. The world has changed since 2014.

"We've decided to join with all of the other villages and towns in Hertsmere and create a new movement SaveHertsmere.com.

"People are starting to get really angry about what is being proposed and our MP and councillors have a responsibility to stand up for us."

Borehamwood Times: A meeting was held at Radlett Cricket Club in mid-November. Credit: Save RadlettA meeting was held at Radlett Cricket Club in mid-November. Credit: Save Radlett

Hertsmere councillor Harvey Cohen has pledged any potential Government changes to housing requirements would be "reflected appropriately" in the local plan.

The borough's MP Oliver Dowden wrote to housing and communities secretary Michael Gove in October in which he asked Mr Gove to consider whether Hertsmere' targets are "up-to-date and appropriate".

The council's draft local plan consultation ends on December 6 with more than 3,000 comments believed to have been submitted so far.

Visit https://www.hertsmerelocalplan.com to take part in the consultation.