I recently had the pleasure of attending the end of year performance at Holy Rood Primary school. Their play looked at the exploits of a new Elected Mayor of Watford and his unusual ideas – weekly press conferences, Greatest Showman songs during council meetings and rebranding the town ‘Whatford’. It gave me plenty of food for thought.

One of my own, perhaps less exciting ideas, has been to hold a number of ‘Listening to Watford’ events. One of things that comes up regularly at these is the number of developments in the town. People are worried about more homes being built and the impact that can have on our roads, schools and doctors' surgeries.

Earlier this year the Government announced a ‘revolution’ in the planning system to increase the rate of housing development. Councils were warned that government ministers would be ‘breathing down your neck every day and night’ if they failed to deliver a big increase in housing. Councils face the threat of the Government taking away local decision-making powers if they refuse permission too often. This has happened already in neighbouring St Albans.

In Watford our annual target for new homes from central government has gone from 260 to around 800 – an eye-watering level. It is scary stuff and a threat to the quality of life in our already congested town. This is why we are seeing an increase in the number and scale of applications in Watford.

There are no easy answers – we are not given the option of making ourselves an exception to the rules. But we are leaving no stone unturned to make the best of what powers we have. This includes:

• Concentrating development on derelict industrial sites that need regeneration to protect existing residential areas as best we can.

• Working on improvements to local transport, for example through new bus services and London-style cycle hire schemes.

• Sending a strong response to the Government on how its policies will have a negative effect on Watford.

• Working with neighbouring councils on a strategic plan for south west Hertfordshire to direct development to the right places (helping to achieve investment in infrastructure such as schools and better transport).

• Pressing developers to improve the quality of design in new development.

With many people struggling to get on the housing ladder or afford local rent levels, new homes that people are able to afford are needed in Watford. But we must make sure that we have the right homes in the right places and the necessary infrastructure is in place. But there is no doubt that the government’s drive for delivering more units, rather than creating communities, is going to put massive pressure on our area.

- Peter Taylor is Elected Mayor of Watford