4. Transport

Object

Representation ID: 8424

Received: 24/03/2020

Respondent: Highways England

Highways England is responsible for the operation, maintenance and improvement of the Strategic Road Network (SRN) in England on behalf of the Secretary of the State. In the area within and surrounding North Hertfordshire, we have responsibility for the M1, the M11 and the A1 (M).

Highways England is a key delivery partner for sustainable development promoted through the plan-led system, and as a statutory consultee we have a duty to cooperate with local authorities to support the preparation and implementation of development plan documents.

I have read the draft SPD with interest and generally find it appropriate but would like the following DFT guidance adding to the opening table at chapter 4 Transport, under other relevant Strategies & Guidance – DFT Circular 02/2013, as this document outlines Highways England’s requirements when assessing development proposals in relation to the SRN.

Object

Representation ID: 8440

Received: 24/03/2020

Respondent: Barkway Parish Council

4.1.4 - LTP4 on sustainable transport promotes walking, cycling, and improving access to public transport whilst working to reduce the need for journeys overall. Developers must support sustainable transport and modal shifts. If developers argue that to support sustainable transport would make their scheme unviable – then such developments should not go ahead.

Object

Representation ID: 8452

Received: 24/03/2020

Respondent: Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation

Agent: Planning Matters

4.2.1 - It is of importance that the LPA ensure that these matters are dealt with expeditiously and that requests made by HCC are reasonable and do not impact on viability/deliverability of development.

4.2.6 - Reference should be made to the engagement of all parties, both at pre-application and early on in application progression to provide clarity and progress delivery. Furthermore, recognition of costs incurred in meeting these requirements should also be recognised when considering the package of contributions and the impact on scheme viability.

Object

Representation ID: 8459

Received: 23/03/2020

Respondent: Osprey Homes Ltd

Agent: JB Planning Associates

4.2 - HCC Guide to Developer Contributions not yet final. Both County and District contributions to be considered when assessing development viability. Transition period suggested as cost not yet known to factor into land costs for schemes already well into the development pipeline.

4.2.2 - HCC should identify transport schemes for financial contributions, not developers.

Object

Representation ID: 8466

Received: 01/04/2020

Respondent: Hertfordshire County Council - Environment & Infrastructure Department

4.1.3 - Highways not consulted on all applications.

4.2.3 - S278 works may sometimes be sought not only in addition to s106, but in place of s106 through Grampian planning conditions. If the developer is solely responsible for delivering work by 278/condition then this is often a much better route to take. We request that this paragraph is amended to reflect this position.

4.2.6 - What does it mean when it says “Non-financial contributions towards sustainable transport may also be required”, when many of the measures listed do involve financial contributions, e.g. CPZs, TP monitoring. Please could you provide further clarity on this paragragh. HCC’s Guide to Developer Infrastructure Contributions may not provide an indication of the scale of Highway requests in the future. The document ‘Roads in Herts’ is likely to be renamed, so at this stage best to use a more generic title such as ‘Hertfordshire County Council’s Highways Design Guide’. This amendment should be made in the other relevant Strategies and Guidance column in the table before paragraph 4.1.

Object

Representation ID: 8472

Received: 25/03/2020

Respondent: Bellcross Homes and Gallagher Developments Ltd

Agent: Rapleys LLP

4.2.3 - 'Any Highway measures sought will be require for mitigation purposes and be subject to meeting the 3 statutory tests set out in the CIL regs and policy tests in the NPPF'.

4.2.6 - Add 'where the statutory tests under CIL reg 122 are met, ... improvements to cycle and pedestrian routes, ... and public transport ... securing ... /secure ... of the Travel Plan for a maximum period of three years following first occupation'.