From Watford Observer, Friday, December 24, 2004



Opposition to rail plan voiced
By EMILY HASSALL

CAMPAIGNERS met on Wednesday night to discuss their plight to Keep Croxley "
Green".
The meeting, organised by local group Keep Croxley Green, saw around 200
residents braving the cold to fill the hall at Harvey Road Primary School.
Councillors from across the party divide joined local residents to show their
opposition to plans to build a London Underground rail track replacement depot
on a Green Belt site in Croxley Green.
The planning application was rejected last month by Three Rivers District
Council but London Underground have submitted an appeal against the decision
and campaigners are now urging the local community to back them in opposing the
plans again, because original objections will not be considered.
Prospective parliamentary candidate for Labour in South West Herts, and
Croxley Green resident, Kerron Cross, attended the meeting to show his support.
He urged local residents to make their voices heard and write to the planning
inspectorate opposing the application. He said "I continue to oppose the plans
and am pleased that so many local people came along to show their support in
stopping this Green Belt site being developed.
"As someone who spoke out against the plans when we had the meeting at Three
Rivers District Council I would like to urge all residents to contact the
Planning Inspectorate before January 6, as every letter really does make a
difference.
"I have been out with other residents delivering leaflets, talking to local
people and trying to remind people that they only have a short time to get
their concerns in.
"This is a valuable Green Belt site which is important to the local community
in Croxley and it would be totally inappropriate for London Underground to
develop it."
Mr Cross’s Conservative counterpart, David Gauke, could not make the
meeting, but he also contacted the Watford Observer and encouraged the Croxley
Green community to rally behind the group. He said "Croxley Green residents
have my full support."
Chairman of the Keep Croxley Green Group, Barry Grant, welcomed the support
that they received at the meeting, and explained to the audience why their
letters were important. He stressed that the reason the district council
rejected the original application was because it was improper use of Green Belt
land, and asked that letters opposing the plans focus on this point.
All correspondence regarding the application should be sent to arrive no later
than Thursday, January 6, to The Planning Inspectorate, Room 301 Kite Wing,
Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN.
Reference APP/P1940/A/04/1166906 should be quoted in all correspondence and
three copies must be sent. For more information you can visit
www.keepcroxleygreen.co.uk

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John Burke
WRUG