Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

Please find below my objections to site HT1 Hitchin, as part of the Local Plan consultation.

* Lack of local facilities such as schools, doctors surgeries, dentists, hospitals - the local area for schools is already over subscribed at all age levels, and with more families moving to in the area, urgent additional provision is required. Furthermore, there has been no specific detail on what local facilities will be provided for. It should be mandatory that any development has conditions proposed on it that adequate facilities be provided.
* Road Transportation - the local area is already gridlocked, particularly at peak times. It can be hard to exit Grovelands Avenue to Stotfold Road (heading towards Cambridge Road) due to congestion. With potentially 700 new homes, many with multiple cars, this situation will get much worse without new roads or improvements to existing roads. Junctions in the local area need to be improved before any development occurs to prevent the town grinding to a halt and affecting the town's economic development. High pollution levels from stationary vehicles will affect my family's health and those around me due to my proximity to Stotfold Road. A new link road bypassing Hitchin may be the answer?
* Roundwood Close/Grovelands Avenue - no vehicle access should be provided from HT1 to these roads as there will be a severe adverse impact on the neighbourhood. There are other more suitable options.