The residential roads that cluster around Theobald Street, one of Borehamwood’s oldest thoroughfares, are quietly full of community feel, despite the town being predominantly inhabited by commuters. Far more local-business orientated than nearby Shenley Road, whilst still encompassing key big shops including Borehamwood Shopping Park, the area is mostly made up of modest semi-detached homes with plentiful garden spaces and a handful of good primary schools. Therefore, this northern part of Borehamwood has become the perfect place for city workers eager to raise a family in the safety of this local community and fresh air.

Borehamwood, and its other half, Elstree, have both been sparsely occupied since the Roman period, although Borehamwood was traditionally less populated than Elstree. In fact, in the Victorian period, the parish was little more than a few farms scattered around Theobald Street and its population only 1323. However, the combination of war and the Industrial Revolution led to a mass surge in population during the 1950s, when the Borehamwood we known today really came into being. However, the area is most famous for its film industry, that originated in the 1920s, and housed iconic film studios which produced classics such as the Star Wars and Indiana Jones trilogies, as well as Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), amongst many others.

Interestingly, there is a divide between the older and younger generations of Borehamwood on exactly how to spell the name of the town; many older residents continue to spell Boreham Wood as two words, as it was often written prior to its suburban development.

The greater issues that the community currently faces are finding a solution to the housing crisis that is emerging the area as a result of the increasing growth of the commuter population, whilst also protecting the Green Belt. Additionally, some residents have vocalised concerns about disagreements with the travelling community and the risk of ‘London crime coming to Borehamwood’.

The local Hertsmere council continually faces pressure to find spaces for development, that 80% of the entire borough is protected by the Green Belt conservation area. However, in an attempt to fulfil their target of creating 500 homes each year, they have accepted proposals to build 20 new homes and a new office building on the site of Organ Hall Farm on Theobald Street. This will likely be joined by a new 850-home community on the outskirts of Borehamwood which will include a country park, and additional teaching space for the local college.