TWO locations bordering the St Albans district have been suggested as potential sites for 5,000 new homes by a neighbouring council. And there are fears that should they be accepted, they would effectively join up the St Albans district with Welwyn and

TWO locations bordering the St Albans district have been suggested as potential sites for 5,000 new homes by a neighbouring council.

And there are fears that should they be accepted, they would effectively "join up" the St Albans district with Welwyn and Hatfield.

Welwyn and Hatfield Council has prepared a consultation document, out today (Monday), earmarking a number of sites where an extra 15,000 homes could be built.

Two sites in the Colney Heath area have been suggested to accommodate up to 5,000 homes - at Roehyde and behind Notcutts garden centre in Smallford - although only one would be considered for adoption and not both.

The move is part of the East of England plan in which Herts is expected to build 83,200 new homes by 2021, with St Albans providing 7,200 of them.

St Albans District Council put out its consultation document last year, the results of which are expected this coming June. But it has also mounted a legal challenge against the East of England Plan housing figures and the case will be heard on May 18.

Speaking about Welwyn and Hatfield's document, Cllr Chris Brazier, St Albans' planning portfolio holder, said that using one of the two sites in Colney Heath would merge the two districts. He also raised concerns about the lack of infrastructure in the area and the lack of regeneration effect on Hatfield.

Cllr Brazier will be holding an exhibition about Welwyn and Hatfield's document at the Oaklands College Smallford campus between 2pm and 9pm on Monday, March 30.