12 Apr 2023
Signs highlighting the consequences of two massive developments proposed for Chiswell Green are being trashed by vandals on a nightly basis.
Developers want to stick the housing on Green Belt land at St Stephen’s Farm and south of Chiswell Green Lane, adding 1,800 new residents to a village which currently only has 3,000.
It is feared the developments will result in years of construction noise, traffic and pollution, local roads will be gridlocked, air quality will diminish, and these proposals will only be the tip of the iceberg for further housing on the Green Belt around the village.
A massive campaign led by non-political protest group Keep Chiswell Green resulted in the two schemes being rejected by the district council, and there will now be a public inquiry into both appeals taking place in St Albans between April 17-26.
But in the run-up to the inquiry, signs and banners across the village have been destroyed on an almost nightly basis by unknown vandals.
Campaign spokesperson Shirani St Ledger McCarthy explained: “Late on Saturday evening, someone targeted the Keep Chiswell Green signs, posters and banners that have been put up around the village.
“Posters were ripped down, signs were kicked over, ripped to pieces and uprooted.
“In one case, a foot was kicked through the middle of a sign, another sign was dismantled so that one of the stakes supporting it could be thrust through the middle of another sign. Most of the banners were slashed from top to bottom.
“On Sunday when this was noticed, local residents went out to salvage what they could and a number of repairs were carried out. On Sunday evening, a number of new signs, posters and banners were put up.
“Then on Monday and Tuesday, there was further vandalism overnight; more posters have been ripped down and thrown on the ground, more signs have been ripped out and thrown into bushes, our banners have been further slashed and removed in part.
“This comes after the low-level removal of our signs over the last month since they have gone up in anticipation of the start of the planning inquiry.
“Some disappeared, but mostly the odd sign or two would be knocked over. This weekend’s violence is a far cry from the removal of the odd sign. This is blatant aggression.
“We have reported this weekend’s vandalism to the police who are viewing it as criminal damage and inhibition of freedom of speech.”
