GOVERNMENT plans to increase the number of homes needed in Herts have been condemned. The Government announced on Tuesday that at least another 10,000 homes had to be built. And it rejected concern from the Examination in Public panel about the original p

GOVERNMENT plans to increase the number of homes needed in Herts have been condemned.

The Government announced on Tuesday that at least another 10,000 homes had to be built.

And it rejected concern from the Examination in Public panel about the original plans about expansion which could effect Royston.

Cllr Derrick Ashley, the county council's executive member for planning and partnerships, said: "These plans are just becoming more and more absurd."

Under the new plans, 83,200 homes are expected to developed in the county by 2021.

Cllr Ashley said it would mean be faced by "a massive urban sprawl".

He said: "Herts is already the most densely populated county in the country and this increase will worsen congestion, put pressure of all infrastructure and will dramatically change the face of the county.

"We simply do not have the infrastructure to support this amount of development and the Government is not making funds available to put the necessary measures in place."

- Public consultation on the plans will run un March 9, 2007