An inquiry on proposals to deregister part of a village green in Borehamwood has come to a close.
A Government-appointed inspector held the inquiry this year to consider an application submitted by Taylor Wimpey in 2020 to deregister part of the village green at Woodcock Hill, west of Vale Avenue, and exchange it for a neighbouring area of land.
More than 3,000 people signed a petition opposing the proposal, led by the Woodcock Hill Village Green Committee, including town councillors Pat Strack and Sandra Parnell.
Cllr Strack has suggested the two pieces of land being offered by Taylor Wimpey do not make up for losing the village green, which they fear could be developed into homes in the future.
Hertsmere Borough Council and Hertsmere MP Oliver Dowden have also outlined their opposition to the deregistration.
Cllr Dr Harvey Cohen, who has planning responsibilities in Hertsmere, said: "Our stance is that we consider, along with the local community, that Woodcock Hill Village Green is a well-loved beauty spot, regularly enjoyed by nearby residents.
"Any proposal to take away or change the status of such an important space needed to be thoroughly examined and robustly evidenced. We now await the outcome of the inquiry."
The inquiry was held virtually between November 2021 and March 2022 with eight days of hearings. Interested parties were offered an opportunity to speak on the matter during the hearings.
The inspector’s decision is expected in due course.
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