A Labour councillor in Hertsmere allegedly instructed members on how to vote on a planning application, according to leaked audio obtained by the Daily Mail. Government guidance states that councillors should be free to vote without a whip on planning decisions. The recording, reportedly made in January 2024, features Labour councillor Aaditya Kaza discussing an application for development on green belt land near Aldenham reservoir.
In the recording, Kaza appears to agree that Labour councillors were told 'what you've got to do' regarding the application. While the specific application was not identified, an application made approximately six months prior sought permission to build a warehouse and office on land adjacent to the reservoir. The landowners stated the development was intended to fund essential repairs to the reservoir's 'high-risk' dam, described as being in 'poor condition and disrepair.' The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) had noted that the plot in question was 'open land which has a variety of vegetation and wildlife.'
All Labour members on Hertsmere's planning committee voted in favour of that application, which was approved by a six-to-four margin. Kaza can be heard in the recording stating that the leadership had given direction on how to vote, calling it a 'sensitive situation.' When questioned about potential protests from Labour members of the planning committee, Kaza responded, 'No.'
Hertsmere Labour has denied the allegations, stating that the recording does not suggest councillors were whipped. A spokesperson for the group said Kaza's remarks referred to a discussion about the implications of a particular planning application for the reservoir's future, which they described as a 'normal' process involving all group members, not just those on the planning committee. They added that discussing planning issues within a political group does not constitute whipping or predetermine outcomes, and presenting an 'informal comment' as evidence of direction is 'false.' Kaza himself has stated his comments were taken out of context.
Special Planning Measures and 'Grey Belt' Policy
Last month, Hertsmere Council was placed into 'designation,' a special planning measure that suspends its authority over major developments. The Government's Planning Inspectorate now decides on these schemes. The council's Labour group described this as 'disappointing news' but acknowledged the housing minister's decision was 'reasonable and understandable' due to planning committee members failing to determine applications according to guidelines. Reform UK member Brett Rosehill criticized the move, calling it a 'badge of failure' and stating residents expect local representatives, not distant inspectors, to make major planning decisions.
Between 2023 and 2025, Hertsmere had six major planning decisions overturned on appeal out of 40. One such case involved an application for 195 homes on previously green belt land in Radlett, which was rejected three times by the council before being overturned by a government inspector. This decision was influenced by Labour's 'grey belt' policy, which permits development on 'low quality' green belt land.
Despite the policy's assertion that significant parts of the green belt include car parks and 'waste lands,' pictures of the Radlett site showed a green field with grazing sheep. Hertsmere Council's head of planning resigned last month, with the position now advertised on a six-month contract at £600 per day. An article written by the former head of planning before her tenure at Hertsmere criticized the Conservative government's planning strategy as a 'surrender to Nimbys' (not in my back yard).