We support the identification of Ickleford as a Category A village in the Settlement Hierarchy. We also support the recognition in the Local Plan that new housing is needed in Ickleford, not only to meet local needs but to contribute to the wider, district-level housing target. Furthermore, we support the identification of exceptional circumstances to justify Green Belt release around the village. The Council's evidence base identifies the scale of housing need, the lack of sufficient non-Green Belt sites to meet this need and the implications of not reviewing the Green Belt in terms of achieving sustainable development. It is clear that Green Belt sites are required in North Herts and it is also clear that, as a Category A village, Ickleford must make a contribution to housing need.

The scale of housing proposed in Ickleford over the twenty-year plan period (a total of 209 homes) appears reasonable, in comparison with other settlements and with past levels of growth. While the proposed site LS1 is technically within Ickleford Parish, it is in reality an extension of Lower Stondon and will look to Lower Stondon for its day-to-day infrastructure needs (schools, local shops etc). Additional transport movements would be created through Ickleford but the development will have little impact on the social infrastructure of Ickleford village.