People power

When a development of 6,000 new homes called Bowmans Cross was announced by Hertsmere Borough Council as part of its ‘draft plan for new housing’, alarm bells rang loudly all over South Hertfordshire. It would mean the destruction of a vast area of Green Belt countryside called Tyttenhanger – a stone’s throw from Colney Heath and Blackbird Brands’ studio. We realised we had to do something – and fast. Taking two days out from our day-to-day work, we launched ‘Save Tyttenhanger!’ to unite Colney Heath’s residents and take the fight to Hertsmere Borough Council. We created an identity and website to showcase Tyttenhanger’s vital role in Hertfordshire’s ecosystem, linking it to a number of other local action groups, an online petition and to the Council’s consultation portal where objections could be submitted. Using roadside banners, window posters, leaflet door drops and social media, our six-month campaign went to the very heart of all that was wrong with Hertsmere Borough Council’s abhorrent plan.

On the final day for public feedback, we were given the amazing news that nearly 20,000 objections had been submitted from all over Hertfordshire. A month later, Hertsmere Borough Council announced its housing plan had been shelved. While we realise the fight is probably far from over, we do have a message for the Council: don’t ever underestimate the collective power of people!