We all have much reason to be pleased with two recent pieces of news. First was the huge success of campaigning group WHOSE!, which has spent 12 years trying to save a piece of green field land from potential development after it was identified for "safeguarding" by the then-ruling Labour group on the council in 1996.

WHOSE! never gave up, and it is to their credit and to all who have contributed both time and money in the run up to the public inquiry last November, that the recommendation that Woodcock Hill be designated a village green will leave a legacy for future generations.

Second was the news that the composting site on Woodcock Hill Farm, on the Elstree side, will not be allowed to expand operations (Compost expansion plans binned', April 18).

This is not a case of NIMBYism. Residents who live in roads such as Milton Drive, Tennison Avenue, Melrose Avenue, Lullington Garth, Vale Avenue, Carrington Avenue already suffer from the smells that linger, especially during the summer and when the wind blows it to their homes.

Increasing the number of lorry visits to Woodcock Hill Farm from 60 to up to 100 on weekdays was too much.

Yes, we need to compost more, but we also have to consider the impact on those nearest the site. Even more troubling was the news that some of the lorry loads of material for composting may come from outside Hertsmere.

Both the town council and the borough council had concerns about this application, and I know there is relief that Hertfordshire County Council has turned it down.

Residents' views do matter, and these are two very good cases, very close to home, which prove that by working and campaigning together we can make a difference to the areas in which we live.

Well done again to WHOSE! You've done Borehamwood proud.

Councillor Morris Bright, leader, Hertsmere Borough Council