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Finding out what people wants is second nature to Justin, who has headed up six market research organisations during his varied career, so he is perfectly placed to take on the role of County Councillor.
“Asking the right questions is important to getting the right answers,” he explained.
In his current role he coaches business owners to help them achieve their personal and professional goals by helping them identify any obstacles to success and then how to overcome them. He believes that small businesses are the bedrock of local communities and without them our towns and villages cannot thrive.
“I am passionate about civic responsibility and rural life, and I know the issues that are important to the residents of Tring.”
Having lived with his wife - and raised three children - in Long Marston for 12 years, he is standing as the Conservative candidate for the Tring division on the county council.
“This is a brilliant opportunity to help improve the local area for residents and to give something back.”
One of the key issues he feels passionate about is the Marshcroft development, a massive suburb of 1,400 homes on prime Green Belt land in the one-and-a-half-mile gap between Tring and the town’s railway station. Campaigners against the development say it will build on 300 acres of prime Tring countryside, will increase the town’s population and add huge pressure to local public services.
Justin agrees: “This is an area of outstanding natural beauty and this development will fundamentally change the character of the area, so obviously a lot of people are not very happy about it. I’m not a NIMBY, but I do believe in developments in the right place. Not only is this Green Belt land but it is going to mean a 50 per cent increase in the population, so I want to fight to prevent it as much as is possible.”
He said roads are another issue raised on doorsteps, not least because of the number of potholes.
“Tring has more miles of road within it than any other division in Hertfordshire and they are in an absolute state. I want to see this division have a fair and equal amount of money spent on repairing these roads."
He added: “Another issue for our residents in the villages is fly-tipping which is really unsightly and if left it just encourages more people to come and dump their rubbish. It’s just another cost that farmers do not need and cannot cope with.”
When he’s not campaigning to become a County Councillor, Justin works on the family small holding, which is home to a flock of sheep. He also loves gardening, hill walking, having a pint in The Akeman in Tring and spending time with his Clumber spaniels Teasel and Tansy.
