Object

Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

Representation ID: 1000

Received: 27/11/2016

Respondent: mrs Patricia Prior

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? No

Representation Summary:

Object to SP14: traffic congestion, pollution levels, link road needs to be adequate for traffic levels, rail capacity inadequate and not considered in plan, inadequate infrastructure needs to be addressed prior to building, lack of sports facilities

Full text:

Object on grounds of:
- traffic congestion within town and specifically at crossroads and mini roundabout. North Herts has failed to carry out a transport assessment prior to proposing such a large increase in housing which could more than double the number of cars using the town.
- pollution from traffic is already rising and would reach unacceptable levels again within Baldock's natural bowl.
- link road from A507 to A505 is already needed with present congestion and traffic accident levels. This needs to be built prior to any house building. Hard to see how a major trunk road to take number of cars and heavy high sided lorries can be built over the railway line.
- rail capacity is at optimum now with only 4 carriage trains able to stop at station. Rail provider has not been consulted as how it can double its capacity.
- inadequate infrastructure at present so this must be fully assessed and dealt with prior to building. Water provider already classes Baldock at a critical stress level
- lack of green spaces and sports facilities now which is below the national average therefore needs to be addressed prior to building.
- No detailed Transport Assessment has been carried out in Baldock prior to proposing an additional 3290 new homes. There is already congestion within the town centre at the mini roundabout and at the cross roads traffic lights.