8 July 2022
Sir Mike Penning backs campaign against development of fields at Piccotts End

Sir Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead, met with local residents to give his support to their campaign against a planning application for the construction of 390 dwellings and a residential care home on green belt fields west of Leighton Buzzard Road at Piccotts End.

The land subject to the planning application lies to the west of Leighton Buzzard Road, north of Galley Hill and is adjacent to land that preserves a Roman Villa.

The land acts as a ‘green lung’ between Water End and Hemel Hempstead and is well known as one of the last beauty spots enjoyed by nature in Hemel Hempstead.

It is home to red kites, herons, egrets, swallows and on occasions a pair of peregrine falcons which nest in the trees.

The River Gade, a chalk stream, runs along the bottom of the site and is a characteristic feature of the Chilterns and a valuable habitat for wildlife.

Sir Mike said:

“I totally support this campaign. This is a vital green space, within the protected Green Belt, and overdevelopment here – on top of all the additional housing already planned around the edges of the town – is totally unnecessary. Quite simply, this would be a step too far and is one of those ‘over my dead body’ situations!”

Campaign organiser, Angela Mitchell said:

“I thank Sir Mike for meeting with us and for giving his unwavering support. We are very much encouraged and very grateful for all the support from the local community. I urge everyone to sign our petition to protect this unique and beautiful place.”

The petition can be signed online at:

https://www.change.org/p/stop-building-on-our-green-spaces-land-west-of-leighton-buzzard-rd-nth-of-galley-hill