Sandridge and Redbourn to celebrate Day of Action event

Activist groups from Sandridge and Redbourn are both hosting events forming part of a UK-wide initiative tomorrow (April 18).

Around 170 Day of Action events are being held across the country to demonstrate, visibly and collectively, that communities care about the natural world and want to see it protected and restored.

The events are supported by organisations including the National Federation of Parks and Green Spaces, Badger Trust, Bat Conservation Trust, Woodland Trust, the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), and CPRE.

With residents, community groups, organisation’s and councillors all expected to attend, the day is deemed an "important opportunity" to come together in support of nature, biodiversity, and the environment.

The Save Our Sandridge group has been campaigning against large proposals on green belt land and countryside.

Notable developments include up to 1,000 homes off Harpenden Road (Woollam Park), 49 houses on land behind The Green man pub and a further 84 homes targeted for land behind Shottfield Close.

A representative from Save Our Sandridge said: "We recognise the need to get people focused on the national challenges - not just those housing developments that threaten the green belt in and around St Albans. This is what this campaign is about. "

A promotional flyer for Sandridge's Day of Action. (Image: Save Our Sandridge)

In the village, there are two main activities taking place:

1. A human chain from the village hall to the bus stop outside the Queens Head pub, between 11am and 1.30pm. Attendees are invited to hold colourful placards and posters which they can make to create a visual show of community support.
2. A community walk/dog walk through the village onto the Hertfordshire Way by the field up behind Langley Grove/Shottfield Close, through Heartwood, then ending back at the Green Man pub, between 1.30pm and 3pm.

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As a number of development earmark countryside around Redbourn, a residents group have begun fighting back via protests and petitions.

With a current population of approximately 5,450 people, the small village could play host to a myriad of housing and infrastructure, "doubling" it in size within 10 years.

Independent councillor for the village at St Albans City & District Council, David Mitchell, has also been advocating against developments across Redbourn for several years. The councillor told the Herts Advertiser he was helping to protect Redbourn from "being destroyed".

A statement on the Redbourn Day of Action flyer reads: "We do not want the destruction of our countryside, farmland and green belt...everybody join in.

"Save Redbourn's greenbelt for future generations."

The Day of Action poster for Redbourn village. (Image: REDBOURN GREENBELTERS)

Residents of Redbourn will also be running a number of events tomorrow:

1. Beginning at 11am there will be a procession from top of Dunstable Road down to the High Street led by local farmers in their tractors - this concludes at the Common.
2. At 11.30am families are invited to gather on Redbourn Common for the Redbourn mile
3. A wildlife walk will start at midday where a member of Wild About Redbourn will guide people from the Parish Centre.
4. An historical walk will then be held at 12.30pm starting at the Common car park.

To find out more about the Day of Action visit https://communityplanningalliance.org/