Hertsmere MP Oliver Dowden has met with "deeply worried" Cuffley residents to discuss a  controversial planned development in the village.

Mr Dowden met with Meadway residents to hear their concerns about proposals for a 73-home development on the land north of the area.

He admitted he shared some of their concerns, saying: "I was thrilled to recently meet with residents of the Meadway to discuss Stonebond’s planning application.

"Like residents, I do have concerns over the impact this development would have on the area, including its failure to be in keeping with the character of homes already on the Meadway and the increased risk of traffic collisions the development could generate."

Mr Dowden was visiting as a prospective parliamentary candidate for the area, with Northaw and Cuffley set to be included in the Hertsmere Constituency at the next general election.

"As the residents’ prospective parliamentary candidate at the next election, I will ensure their voices are heard and have written to Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council to make their views known," he added.

Raising their concerns, Meadway resident Mrs Olseen added: "Like my neighbours, I am deeply worried about the impact this development would have on our neighbourhood.

"With many elderly residents and families with young children, we have grave concerns of the increased risk of collisions, and the lack of safe routes to the station and schools that this development would bring.

"We are also concerned that the Stonebond application ignores several important elements of the Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council Local Plan.

"We will continue to make our objections clear to the local authorities and hope that our fight will result in the right outcome for the Meadway, and the whole of Cuffley."