Para 4.91: This paragraph is supported. This is because Croudace has been promoting an integrated strategic urban extension at North Stevenage for some years (i.e. involving land in both Stevenage Borough and North Hertfordshire District), in association with a group of land owners and house builders representing adjoining interests within Stevenage Borough. Croudace has an Option over the land included within the NS1 designation in North Hertfordshire. The combined strategic urban extension scheme would be integrated across the border between Stevenage Borough and North Herts District to ensure the seamless delivery of a sustainable urban extension that would contribute to meet the housing needs of both Authorities.

Whilst the objective is to ensure the delivery of an integrated strategic urban extension combining the land in both Stevenage Borough and North Hertfordshire District, it is relevant to note, in relation, in particular, to the timing of the delivery of the NS1 development, that the NS1 site would have its own highway access in the form of a new junction onto Graveley Road/North Road and could therefore be brought forward for development at a time to suit North Hertfordshire District Council's housing needs, without jeopardising integration with the development of the land in Stevenage Borough through the use of a combined Master Plan approach. This flexibility may be important to ensure that the housing needs of North Hertfordshire can be met in an appropriate and timely way, meeting local needs.