Monday's promise by Hertsmere Borough Council's Labour group to protect the Green Belt status of Borehamwood's Woodcock Hill proves that people power can win the day.

Whether you agree with them or not, the Green Belt campaigners' passion for and commitment to their cause is been an example to all of us.

As we have seen in the national press recently, authorities all over the country have been struggling to find room to accommodate for 4.4million new homes by the year 2016 -- a figure set by the last Tory Government.

And many fear that figure could rise to 5.5million when new projections are completed next year.

Although Green Belt campaigners across the country dispute those figures, councils are forced to adhere to them -- at the risk central Government taking control of the local planning process.

Many tough choices face residents and Hertsmere's local authority in the years ahead. But for now politicians in charge of the borough should also be congratulated for listening to residents.

Over the past 12 months residents have it made it crystal clear how they feel and how dear local green spaces are to them.

Borough planning officers should also take some of the credit. Their hard work to find urban sites for housing development has taken some pressure of the Green Belt.

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