Whilst out and about in recent weeks, knocking on doors and talking to local residents, it has become clear that plans to build new houses in the town is of great concern.
However, far from the short-sighted NIMBY attitude that many locally-elected Tory representatives have taken, I was struck by how worried parents are that their children won’t be able to afford to live in the town if more affordable housing isn’t made available.
I share their concern. But I also believe that Hemel Hempstead needs more than just affordable housing if it is to prosper in the years to come; it needs investment in the services that will sustain population growth.
Local Tory councillors evidently don’t share this view – they oppose growth and are content to close down local primary schools and other amenities which are important to the local community.
At this rate, there will be nothing left to attract new residents to the area: no affordable housing, no local services, and no local primary schools. Tory Councillors on Conservative controlled Dacorum Borough and Hertfordshire County Councils have a vision for Hemel that I don’t share: one of decline.
I would urge them to reconsider their recent trend of cuts and closures. Like my Labour colleagues and I, they should be proud of Hemel and what it has to offer, instead of trying to shut it down.
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Together, let's stem decline under the Tories and be proud of Hemel
