AN environmental champion has reacted to the High Court defeat of government plans to build 10,000 homes in Welwyn Hatfield by 2021. Mandy Perkins, the borough council s executive member for planning and environmental health, gave the news

AN environmental champion has reacted to the High Court defeat of government plans to build 10,000 homes in Welwyn Hatfield by 2021.

Mandy Perkins, the borough council's executive member for planning and environmental health, gave the news a cautious welcome.

"Until we have seen the judgement, we do not know the full extent of how this news will affect the borough," she said.

"We are hopeful that this ruling will mean very good news for Welwyn Hatfield and that our coveted green belt space will not be under threat from such high levels of imposed development.

She added: "As we are still awaiting confirmation of what this will mean for the council and the borough, we will have to wait and see.

"We are hoping that the ruling will stand in our favour.