We object to the NHDC Local Plan for Ashwell because we believe the Local Plan is unsound because it is not consistent with National Policies (especially NPPF 11). When this site was originally offered to NHDC by the landowner in July 2009 as a potential development site NHDC failed to take adequate account of historical expert assessments which concluded it was unsuitable for development. Having included it in their draft Local Plan options NHDC have subsequently persisted in ignoring past & recent expert evidence which highlights the unsuitability of the proposed site AS1, and also ignored the views of the large number of residents of Ashwell who have criticised the inclusion of site AS1. NHDC have failed to explain their reasons for continuing to include the site. We also object to the proposed changes to the Settlement Boundary on grounds of the change being unjustified and lacking consultation or justification. Site AS1 fails the Soundness test on the following grounds:
* It fails to meet the requirements to protect valued landscapes. The site is within the North Baldock Chalk Uplands Character Area and development is restricted under National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and NHDC's own local planning policy, both current and emerging.
* It fails to meet the requirements to protect the historic environment. The site is within the setting of the scheduled ancient monument Arbury Banks and is protected by NPPF and NHDC policy (SP13, para 4.151).
* It fails to meet the requirements for highway safety to protect pedestrians and other road users as defined in both National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and NHDC's own current and emerging planning policy for Highway Safety (Policy T1).
* NHDC has failed to consult on the proposals to extend the settlement boundary in locations other than AS1 (within which there would be a presumption in favour of development; Policy SP2) and has not responded adequately to previous representations.