Interim Committee members

Robert Bolt

Lived in Chiswell Green for about 25 years.

I have worked in the transport industry for most of my professional life, including planning the operation and maintenance of the British Airways fleet and later being part of the team involved in the privatisation of British Rail. Through that work I gained experience of managing complex systems, responding to unforeseen events, and understanding the importance of due diligence and robust decision-making.

I became involved in monitoring development proposals in the fields behind my home in Forge End long before Keep Chiswell Green was formed. I have been involved with KCG since its beginnings and see the invaluable role it plays in keeping local people informed and engaged.

I recognise the national need for new homes, particularly smaller homes, and the need for homes for older people that are not care homes or retirement villages, that allow retirees to stay within their communities. However, I believe the Green Belt plays a vital role and that once it is developed, it cannot be easily replaced.

New housing also requires appropriate supporting infrastructure. Without timely and significant investment in roads, rail, utilities and water, additional development risks placing unsustainable pressure on existing communities. I believe that insufficient attention has been given to developing local infrastructure such as the Abbey Line, particularly in the context of other developments in the area, including the Strategic Rail Freight Interchange Terminal, which will generate substantial additional traffic.

I support Keep Chiswell Green because I believe development should be planned carefully, with proper infrastructure in place, and with full regard for the long-term wellbeing of the area and the people who live here.

Peter Bradley

Lived in Chiswell Green for 35 years.

I am a qualified accountant, now retired.

I previously held senior finance roles across the engineering, construction and energy sectors in the UK and Europe. As Treasurer, I support KCG by helping to ensure the campaign is financially well managed and accountable.

I am involved with Keep Chiswell Green because I care deeply about the long-term future of the Green Belt, and particularly the cumulative impact of large-scale development on places like Chiswell Green. I believe that communities deserve to be properly heard when planning decisions affect where they live, and that those decisions should be taken with care, responsibility and a clear view of their long-term consequences. Decisions taken now will shape the character of the village for generations, and I am concerned about the pressures this places on traffic, infrastructure and the natural environment.

Mark Skelton

Lived in Chiswell Green for 28 years.

I have been actively involved in the local community throughout my time living in this area, including serving as a Parish Councillor, volunteering on the Neighbourhood Plan and serving for five years as a leader with Park Street Scouts.

I bring a strong understanding of how people use and move around the Parish and our village on a day to day basis. As a family we make regular use of local facilities and green spaces, and through walking, running, cycling and driving locally,

I am familiar with the practical realities of getting around the area. I support Keep Chiswell Green because I believe in maintaining a strong sense of community and ensuring that development and local facilities are planned in a considered way, reflecting the needs of different residents and protecting what makes the parish a good place to live.

Terrie Smith

Lived in Park Street for over 40 years.

I serve as a St Albans District Councillor; my work is rooted in place and shaped by the everyday realities of the community I serve.

Alongside my council role, I bring professional experience of building and running an organisation that handled payment data and operated within strict governance and data protection requirements. This helps Keep Chiswell Green’s commitment to operating responsibly and professionally.

I’m involved in Keep Chiswell Green because once our green space is lost, it is effectively permanent. Chiswell Green matters for wellbeing, community life, and future generations, and it deserves real protection, rather than vague assurances or short-term trade-offs. Local people should have a meaningful say when decisions threaten the places they rely on.

I care about clear thinking, straight talking, and decisions that stand up in public. For me, leadership means showing up, understanding the place you serve, and being willing to stand behind it.

Shirani St Ledger McCarthy

Lived in Chiswell Green for 30 years

I am a self-employed mum, with a background in HR, consultancy and the financial markets.

I first became involved with Keep Chiswell Green when the Cala development was proposed. I care deeply about the protection of the Green Belt, the natural environment and the character of the historic area in which we live.

I believe planning decisions should be made in a fair and balanced way, and in line with the policies that are meant to safeguard the natural environment, our heritage, and the needs of both existing and new residents. Communities have a right to expect nothing less.

However, over the last four years, and through the many development proposals that have come forward for our village, I have seen how challenging it can be for local communities to make their voices heard in the face of significant planning pressures.

I believe that when communities come together and engage constructively, they can influence outcomes. Doing nothing is a decision in itself.

Associate member
Gary Broadbent

Lived in Park Street for over 25 years

I am a semi-retired Technical Manager and Consultant, and also act as an administrator and moderator for several local Facebook groups.

I have worked with Keep Chiswell Green since its inception in February 2022, supporting the campaign through my detailed knowledge of the District’s planning history, the planning process, and the planning portal. I also contribute my digital skills, including creating graphics, maps, short films, and other materials to help to raise awareness and communicate complex issues clearly to local residents.

I support Keep Chiswell Green because I am strongly com itted to protecting the Green Belt and the natural environment from inappropriate and unsustainable development. I believe these landscapes are under increasing pressure, and that once they are eroded, the loss will be felt for generations. As a member of the District Green Belt Alliance, of which KCG is a founder member, I also value working with others to strengthen understanding of these issues and promote a more joined-up approach to environmental protection.