LG4 Land north of former Norton School, Norton Road

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The requirement in this allocation for the loss of open space to be justified and re-provision or contributions towards improvements to existing provision is welcomed in principle and positively responds to representations made earlier in the local plan process. This is because the proposal would involve the permanent loss of one of the former Norton School's playing fields which may offer potential to meet community playing pitch needs as identified in the Council's playing pitch strategy. The approach in the policy is considered to broadly accord with Government planning policy on playing fields set out in paragraph 74 of the NPPF.

Formal Response to consultation on North Hertfordshire District Council 3
Local Plan 2011-2031 (proposed submission)

We are writing to object to the proposed Local Plan 2011-2031 that NHDC has recently submitted for consultation.

Section 4.187 of the plan comments that "Letchworth holds a special place as the world's first garden city. Although development of the town to Ebenezer Howard's original vision of 32,000 residents has been achieved, it is considered there remains scope for a sensitive extension of the town to the north, which respects the town's original ideals while making provision for the needs of the 21st Century. "

Nowhere are these needs set out. We do not understand how removing the 'green lungs' and open spaces (notably around the Greenway) of the areas marked LG1, LG4 and LG10 and replacing them with 1000 houses can be characterised as 'sensitive'.

This area of the town is already under considerable pressure due to the low provision of doctors, dentists, schools and other amenities. Bus services have been reduced and the increase of traffic through the Grange Estate (estimated at 3000-6000 vehicles) would put immense pressure on the junction of Norton Road, Norton Way North, and Eastern Way. The alternative of a relief road connecting directly onto the Stotfold Road is likely to create a tempting and dangerous 'rat-run' for north-bound traffic through the estate.

With regard to LG10, we are also unclear as to how additional traffic through Croft Lane and Cashio Lane can be safely accommodated without a widening scheme that removes the 'country village' character so jealously preserved for so long and a key part of the Garden City Pioneer's vision for the town. The field is a relatively small site and 37 properties will have a significant impact - not least on the water table (the area is prone to flooding due to 'heave' - the same mechanism that fills Norton Pond).

Clearly this many additional residents will create additional commuter traffic, adding to the considerable current congestion at peak times on the approaches to Junction 9 and southbound am/northbound pm on the A1(M). There is already a shortage of public parking for commuters north of the railway - where can more cars go?

We believe that building on Greenbelt should be a last resort. There are several brownfield sites such as Icknield Way East, Radburn Way, Station Road, The Wynd and Arena Parade that would provide suitable sites and whose development would improve the local scene.

In summary, it is hard to see how developments LG1, LG4 and LG10 in any way reflect the "original ideals" of Ebenezer Howard of creating a healthy, safe, self-sustaining community.

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