I am writing to strongly oppose the development and over-residentialisation of sites in Codicote and specifically that of Cowards Lane.
Codicote is an ancient village of historic interest, the character and preservation of which is of enormous importance.
Traffic
The main road through the village is lined closely on both sides with attractive, period cottages and houses and the road is further constrained by parked cars belonging to the cottages.
The High Street is the main thoroughfare between the A1 and Welwyn and Hitchin, Knebworth, parts of Stevenage and the surrounding villages and is regularly blocked by weight of traffic, especially during the rush hours, following an accident on the A1 or at any time of lorry deliveries to and from the quarry, to businesses or at refuse collection times. Traffic is already way in excess of capacity.
The roads leading from Codicote to the surrounding villages are single track lanes at many points and are already totally unsuitable for either the volume or size of vehicles that use them. There are many serious accidents along the lanes, often caused by rush hour speeding. These lanes are shared by many horse riders and cyclists and are already extremely dangerous. The area where Cowards Lane meets St Albans Road (and subsequent access to the school) it notoriously dangerous to our children making their way to school with huge lorries back and forth to the quarry and blind crossing due to the many, many parked cards.
The road surfaces are already unacceptable and these standards will only descend to almost impossible levels with an increased level of traffic using roads in the area.
Public transport is simply not comprehensive enough to be practical for the vast majority of residents.
The levels of pollution will rise with increased traffic with resultant health issues for any residents with asthma and other breathing related illnesses. There will also be pollution damage to historic buildings, flora and fauna.
Schools
The school provision is plainly inadequate for the large influx of children that this new housing will produce. Codicote Primary School is already over-subscribed from the current population.
Under the National Planning Policy Framework 2012, the Government states that 'key facilities such as primary schools ....should be located within walking distance of most properties. The Government attaches great importance to ensuring that a sufficient choice of school places is available to meet the needs of existing and new communities.'
There will also be increased pressure on the secondary schools in the wider area and the necessarily increased transport links.
Green Belt
Codicote stands in the Green Belt and is therefore protected from development and expansion.
According to the National Planning Policy Framework 2012, the idea of the Green Belt 'is a ring of countryside where urbanisation will be resisted for the foreseeable future, maintaining an area where agriculture, forestry and outdoor leisure can be expected to prevail.' The Framework continues: 'Once an area of land has been defined as green belt, the stated opportunities and benefits include:
* Providing opportunities for access to the open countryside for the urban population
* Providing opportunities for outdoor sport and outdoor recreation near urban areas
* The retention of attractive landscapes and the enhancement of landscapes, near to where people live
* The securing of nature conservation interests
* The retention of land in agricultural, forestry and related uses
* Green belt in England is protected both by normal planning controls and against "inappropriate development" within its boundaries.'