The Box Moor Trust would like to respond to some of the points in recent articles in the Hemel Hempstead Gazette.
The Trust agreed some months ago to an invitation to be part of a feasibility study instigated by Dacorum Borough Council as part of the Council's 20:20 Vision for the town. Whilst interested in some of the options being identified by the Council's consultants, Trustees are committed to protecting the interests of all their Beneficiaries (ie all the residents of Hemel Hempstead and Bovingdon).
The Trust regards the majority of the Box Moor Trust land that the consultants have chosen to include in the study as an important area of "working countryside", which offers local people a unique opportunity to experience the natural world close to the town centre. The original idea of labelling the grazed areas as a "park" is, therefore, somewhat misleading.
Heath Park Gardens (adjacent to the Plough roundabout) is indeed currently ornamental in character, and Hemel Hempstead Town and Boxmoor Cricket Clubs enjoy use of substantial parts of the area in question. The canal, the rivers and the areas of grazing land owned by the Trust offer opportunities for us all to experience the natural world at first hand and to treasure it. Few towns are so privileged.
Concerned local residents can be assured that Trustees will always be mindful of their duties to protect these precious areas from inappropriate development. However, they also have a duty to ensure the long-term viability of all the Trust's holdings. Some of the proposals may be beneficial in supporting that long-term duty.
On this basis, Trustees are obliged to look objectively at any and all suggestions that may enhance this southern gateway to the town. In so doing, the Trust will use its best endeavours to serve everyone living and working in, and wishing to enjoy, the area through working in partnership with all of the many organisations and individuals that have an opinion to voice and a contribution to make.
It should be emphasised that much of the land in the study relates to areas to the east of Two Waters Road, which are already subject to a variety of commercial uses. Those parts here that are within our ownership contribute income crucial to the present and future of all that the Trust does.
For all these complex reasons Trustees approach the consultation process in a positive and constructive spirit, determined to look seriously at everyone's ideas whilst retaining and enhancing the best of what the land offers to Beneficiaries - as the Trust has tried to do over the last 400 years.
Will Hodgson Chair: Box Moor Trust
Peter Ablett Chair: Estate and Land Committee, Box Moor Trust
For more information on the project, go to: www.dacorum.gov.uk/PDF/Two%20Waters%20open%20space%20consultation%202010-06-15.pdf
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