Bob Horrocks has written the following brief summary about the role of Green Belts.

There are 14 green belts covering about 12% of England, approximately 1.5m hectares. We live in the Metropolitan Green Belt. The Town & Country Planning Act 1947 empowers a county council to define an area as green belt.

The Green Belt protects the countryside by...

• checking the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas
• preventing towns merging into one another
• assisting in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment
• preserving the setting and special character of historic towns
• assisting in urban regeneration by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land

An essential characteristic is permanence, protected as far ahead as can be seen. It is encouraging that people continue to oppose the Herts CC decision to shift the green belt so that ten thousand new houses can be added to Stevenage.

Subscriptions for the North Mymms District Green Belt Society has been kept at £1 a head per year, or £20 life membership, so that anyone can afford to join. To those who add an extra donation we give our grateful thanks, since it helps our reserves.

Our countryside and permitted developments within it are worth fighting for, which is why we spent money getting legal advice over a recent case involving a listed building. We won and it was money well spent.

Article written and submitted by Bob Horrocks, hon sec North Mymms District Green Belt Society. Tel: 01707-653713.