Lobbyists collected 1,446 signatures to fight a proposal to throw up 700 homes on Panshanger Aerodrome and presented them yesterday (Wednesday) to a politician.

The protesters are fighting Welwyn Hatfield Council’s housing strategy – dubbed the Emerging Core Strategy – and the cut off point for respondents is today.

Patrick Trezona , from the Save Panshanger Group, said: “Until they develop the infrastructure you can’t put any houses there.

“It would be a sort of ghetto on the edge of town.

“You try going to London on the first train in the morning, it is a mess, same with rush hour.”

Housing chief councillor Mandy Perkins accepted the petition and thanked the residents for taking an interest in the strategy.