The application for 30 properties to be built on the corner of Green End and Gravelly Lane was heard by the Development Control Committee at East Hertfordshire District Council on Wednesday evening 2 July 2008. The debate about this application lasted over one hour of the meeting. The committee consisting of 15 district councillors voted unanimously to refuse the application, even though it had been recommended by officers for approval.

District Councillors clearly struggled with the whole concept of building something such as this in the middle of one of the most beautiful villages in Hertfordshire. One Councillor described it not as a carbuncle on the village, but an abscess. Another questioned why we were considering building a bit of Harlow in the middle of a conservation area.

Councillors stood up for Rural England tonight and said NO to the Labour government policy on increasing house building within the villages of East Hertfordshire, They expressed concerns that to approve this application would lead to the destruction of all villages in East Hertfordshire. Individual District Councillors were given rounds of applause as they one by one expressed their concerns over approving such a scheme.  One councillor even talked about having a number of sleepless nights if he was to support approval of this application.

Peter Boylan

Braughing Parish Council