High on the list of priorities for General Election candidate, Holly Kal-Weiss, is protecting the local environment. A huge supporter of Labour’s Green New Deal, she also wants to see green investment and jobs in the area.

Over the past few weeks, Holly has been touring the constituency meeting residents and campaign groups and listening to their concerns over the changing environment: From loss of green belt and trees, through to development of open spaces with loss of habitats and demolition of the historic built environment.

In Ely Gardens, Borehamwood, Holly joined residents protesting about the loss of ancient oak trees. Challenging the shroud of secrecy covering their potential demise, the residents are taking their protest to next week’s Council meeting where Holly will join them.

Down the road at Aldenham Reservoir, she has been to meet Paul Reynolds at Aldenham Sailing Club to see what will happen if developers get their way to build a hotel, 50 pods, a hub and 79 space car park. Not only will it mean the end of the Sailing Club, but it will alter the landscape for ever and destroy valuable amenity space.

The other side of the M1 has seen significant campaigning from several organisations to save the green belt, including Little Bushey Community, who have challenged proposals to release acres of farm land to build thousands and thousands of houses.  These plans will mean the destruction of wildlife habitats and grazing land for cattle and horses. Anxious residents are waiting for the publication of the draft Local Plan in the spring.

Said Holly: “Tory run Hertsmere has identified swathes of green belt in the area to be released for development. I support the need for genuinely affordable homes, but would press for other sites across the Borough to be prioritised in order that we protect the green belt.

In Shenley, the Neighbourhood Plan is open for consultation and Holly joined residents at the meeting where it was launched. Once finalised, it will inform developers about the characteristics, challenges and opportunities across the area. Residents have six weeks to lodge their objections.