Bid to allay housing fears

9:07am Wednesday 21st November 2001

LEAKED information has been blamed for raising public fears over possible new housing developments across Hertfordshire.

A statement issued by Hertfordshire County Council on Monday blamed "selective leaks" for misleading the public about its plans for housing.

In October the county council announced residents would be asked to take part in a consultation to consider the results of its urban capacity study, which outlined possible sites for future housing on green and brown field land.

The consultation was being carried out by the county council in an effort to plan for an estimated 49,000 new homes designated for Hertfordshire by the Government.

However, at the request of district councils across the county, the consultation was postponed until councillors had had an opportunity to fully discuss the information.

In a pointed indication that it was some of those district and borough councillors who then leaked elements of the information to the press, the county council thanked "the majority" of its colleagues this week "who respected" their joint working relationship.

In an effort to "reduce unnecessary concern" by the public, the county council has, therefore, decided to release the technical documentation which formed the basis for the leaks.

It will now be available in major public libraries across the county from next week and will indicate which parcels of land have been earmarked as potential housing sites.

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