Hertsmere’s partnership administration has secured the largest affordable housing development in the borough’s history, with 186 new homes at Lyndhurst Farm in Borehamwood set to be delivered as 100% affordable housing. Most of these homes will be for social rent – the most affordable tenure – alongside some affordable rent and shared ownership, meaning this scheme will genuinely tackle Hertsmere’s housing crisis.

This landmark achievement is the direct result of Labour-led Hertsmere Borough Council’s determination to tackle the housing crisis head-on, working closely with Griggs Homes, Success Property, Thrive Homes and The Hill Group, as well as community partners, to make sure residents benefit from genuinely affordable homes. It is a level of delivery that the previous Conservative administration never came close to achieving.

Cllr Nik Oakley, Cabinet Member for Planning, Infrastructure and Transport, whose vision and determination have been absolutely central to making this landmark scheme a reality, said:

“This project is proof of vision and partnership working, and I’m absolutely thrilled that in Hertsmere we can deliver a fabulous ground-breaking scheme. 186 Hertsmere families or their relatives will now have a place to call home through social and affordable rents and shared ownership.”

More Than Just Housing

The Lyndhurst Farm development is about more than bricks and mortar. Alongside the homes, residents will benefit from:

• A new purpose-built community hub for local groups.

• £550,000 of investment into local transport and infrastructure.

• The delivery of a modern, fully serviced allotment site directly opposite the Lyndhurst scheme, doubling the number of plots available for Borehamwood residents.

The Stapleton Allotments were secured as part of the Lyndhurst deal itself. This outcome was only possible through close partnership working between Hertsmere Borough Council, Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council, and the developers.

Cllr Dan Ozarow, Labour’s Mayor of Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council, said:

“We are thrilled to have secured the future of allotment space in this part of our town. Through the new Stapleton site, for the first time we are creating a haven of biodiversity with permanent allotments that everyone can enjoy. Doubling the plots and establishing inclusive facilities, this is a real step forward for our community.”

Delivering Change for Hertsmere

For years, the Conservatives in Hertsmere presided over a chronic failure to deliver affordable housing, with families priced out of their own communities. That has changed under this leadership. The Lyndhurst Farm scheme and Stapleton Allotments are proof of what can be achieved when we put residents first and work constructively with developers to secure the best outcomes.

Cllr Oakley summed it up:

“For too long, families in Hertsmere have been priced out of their own community. This scheme shows what can be achieved when we prioritise people’s needs and work together across councils and with developers to make housing genuinely affordable.”

Together, the homes at Lyndhurst and the new Stapleton allotments stand as proof that Labour is delivering what the Conservatives never could: a fairer, greener, and more affordable Hertsmere.