Stop the Stadium, say Bushey Lib Dems

• Councillors move to protect Bushey Hall Golf Course from Tory scheme.

• Campaign underway to halt stadium plan in its tracks.

Amid increasing concern over Tory proposals to build a new Watford FC stadium on Bushey Hall Golf Course, Bushey Liberal Democrats are taking urgent practical steps to protect the site from the threat of development.

It follows reports that the Tory leadership of Hertsmere Borough Council have renewed talks with the football club about the highly controversial scheme.

Lib Dem councillors have begun the process of securing a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) for Bushey Hall Golf Course, which if granted would formally protect the site's century-old wooded areas. The TPO would serve as a major barrier to any stadium plans, designs for which have been presented to the council by senior Conservative councillors.

Paul Richards, Lib Dem councillor for Bushey North, said:

"Moving Watford FC to Bushey is the wrong thing to do, and if this idea evolves into a formal plan, I will fight it, tooth and nail.

"As a lifelong Hornets supporter, I believe our club's home is in Watford, not Bushey - and certainly not on a precious greenfield site like the golf club.

"I will do everything in my power to stop this. That's why I'm now working to secure that tree preservation order- it's a vital first step".

Jerry Evans, fellow Bushey North councillor, and deputy leader of the Lib Dem group, also commented:

"The Tory councillors who run Hertsmere are hellbent on developing every inch of this borough - they even waved through plans to build flats on a kids' play area in Borehamwood town centre. They are addicted to building.

"Let's be clear. It's the Tories who are having these talks with Watford FC. And the only way it could ever be built is if the Tories agree to it.

"I see that some Conservatives in Bushey have started up a petition - which is very strange. The Tories run Hertsmere Borough - so why are they petitioning themselves?

"The reality is the petition is a smokescreen: they are pretending to oppose the stadium while, behind the scenes, their colleagues are in discussion with the football club. They're playing a very dangerous game and Bushey residents are being misled".