Both LA1 and BA1 are proposed on Green Belt Land described as 'North Baldock Chalk Uplands' charactized by its remote and open landscape.

"The reference to areas of remoteness is fully supported. The feeling of tranquillity is also a perceptual aspect of the landscape that should be protected wherever possible. Tranquillity provides relief from urban areas and benefits health and wellbeing, protecting any pockets of tranquillity is especially important in close proximity to highly developed areas." (comment letter from Paul Donovan HCC Spatial Planning and the Economy Environment Department 3 Feb 15)

In respect of BA1, the open nature of the area north of Baldock is fundamental to the character of the town, being at the foot of the Chilterns and the edge of the Chalk uplands. The development of BA1 will destroy this characteristic, and 'replacing' green belt by some new areas near Luton airport is no mitigation.

In respect of LA1, In 1902 Ebenezer Howard wrote in Garden Cities of Tomorrow: "Shall it build on the zone of agricultural land which is around it and thus forever destroy its right to be called a 'Garden City'? Surely not." LG1 as farmland is of vital importance in maintaining the green belt design of the world's first garden city. To erode this beyond the natural skyline boundary of the existing built up area would be a critical loss to Letchworth's integrity and therefore no developer could possibly satisfy Policy SP15 condition a,i "How the site will follow and implement Garden City principles".

It is also difficult to imagine how any development at a density of c.35 dwellings per Ha can possibly "implement Garden City principles" in any case.

This high density housing at LA1 will be especially deliterious to views from afar, eg from North Road between Radwell and Baldock and from the water tower at the junction of the A1 and the Langford Road where Letchworth is currently out of view in its own valley. It will become highly visible, and be a ruinous encroachment on the rural aspect of Letchworth from the North and especially to Radwell and its Wildlife area.

NPPF and Government statements
The Planning Minister in March 2014 reaffirmed NPPF priorities saying "Unmet housing need is unlikely to outweigh harm to the green belt and other harm to constitute the very special circumstances justifying inappropriate development on a site within the Green Belt"

NPPF requires Councils to protect the green belt when preparing their Plans. Para 14 states that the extent to which assessed housing needs are met should reflect constraints such as Green Belt. Guidance 1 re-confirms this.

NPPF says "The Government attaches great importance to Green Belts. The fundamental aim of Green Belt policy is to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open; the essential characteristics of Green Belt are their openness and their permanence."