Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

The proposed North of the Grange development will increase the vehicle movements per day through the Grange Estate by between 3,000 and 6,000. I am extremely concerned that any plan addresses this in detail. Pollution and congestion will be increased still further; and it is already a major problem. Parking is increasingly causing gridlocks in Norton Way South, Glebe Road, Cowslip Hill and surrounding side roads. It is only a matter of time before this extends onto Norton Road and Norton Way North. Chaos will then ensue as these roads cannot cope, plus these are original LGC properties which are suffering. I have no confidence that this will be looked at properly. Letchworth has implemented too many poor road design decisions already which are neither currently viable nor future proof..

Careful assessment of the roads most affected should be made - some of our oldest Letchworth buildings (e.g. the Settlement) particular must not bear the brunt of the traffic, whilst side roads must not become 'short cuts' or congested with parked cars.

Many local areas have potential for change without encroaching on the Green Belt.

Brownfield sites including derelict land, disused garage areas etc must be utilised first and empty homes numbering over 1000 in the area should be forced back into use.
The Wynd and Station Road shopping parade should include more flats above.

All empty properties in the town should be used: eg. the old 'Tower' Shop. They should all be identified and used unless there are sound reasons why not. Letchworth has not expanded as a shopping centre, and this must be faced.

Therefore, developing empty properties and brownfield site usage must be maximised.

This whole issue should be explored further through the transport assessments that will accompany any planning applications on these sites. This will help to determine the most appropriate approach, and any other local measures which may be required, on a case-by-case basis. The requirement for radical changes in transport management should be acknowledged and therefore equally far sighted solutions be discussed. "A one-way system to take a percentage of the traffic away from already congested areas such as Norton Way North and South should be considered".

The greenway should be left 'as is' or Letchworth will lose it's identity. There is no issue with the need for new housing; just not created in this way, in this space. I am not convinced that the well documented arguments are sufficient evidence that this is the way to go. Green space is in the end good for you - one day perhaps this hard to measure impact will be seen in mental and physical health terms rather than simply utilisable spaces in which numbers of houses can be placed. I wonder who in any case would benefit from most of the building? Those most in need or more commuter belt housing?

We need to preserve our heritage, and consider what is being destroyed, not just now but for future generations. We cannot get back what we destroy. This garden city is not just bricks and mortar; it is a community which needs to be protected. It needs a heart. That comes from good design and careful development. Too much of the towns character has already gone.

So firstly, I would therefore focus on the brownfield sites and empty building - maximising and utilising them - but even so, sweeping changes need to be made to our town's roads in order to accommodate any more traffic. Our town centre is full of empty shops, and I can't see that will ever change. They, and empty flats should be used for housing. It is really sad to see the centre in such a bad way, but who is going to take on these expensive spaces except charity shops now? Letchworth missed it's chance a long time ago to be a vibrant town centre like Hitchin, or a bustling garden city like WGC. Logically therefore there is little in the very centre to destroy except a few key buildings - and it might be possible to convert the Old Grammar School after De Vinci closes, and re-purpose or rebuild the Goldsmith Centre, which has no provenance. Both of these are large spaces, and are not addressed in the plan as far as I can see.

Once all options of this nature are exhausted, discuss other options, such as another Garden City. These existing conditions are not the exceptional circumstances the government requires!

Please note:

This is what happened when I tried to submit online without answering questions to which I do not, and could not, know the answer. Therefore please accept this as a cobbled together last minute objection, taken from my on-line (failed) submission. I would like to object strongly to the way this consultation software has been designed - to obfuscate and inhibit.

"One of your representations has failed to submit. Please correct the errors listed below and then resubmit all remaining drafts.

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