Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

We would like to object to the proposed housing development to the north of Baldock (SP14).
It belies an incorrect housing strategy and would simply provide a commuter estate for people working in London, etc., even though the railway company is planning to slash services. West of Stevenage is surely the better option.

Baldock cannot handle this massive increase and should be allowed to develop naturally.

Ref. NHDC Local Plan, Site AS1. Claybush Road, Ashwell.

We strongly object to the NHDC Local Plan for Ashwell on the following grounds:-

a./Site AS1 fails to meet the requirements for highway safety to protect pedestrians and other road users as defined in both National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and NHDC's own current and emerging planning policy for Highway Safety (Policy)T1.

b./Site AS1 fails to meet the requirements to protect valued landscapes. The site is within the North Baldock Chalk Uplands Character Area and development is restricted under National Planning Policy Framework(NPPF) and NHDC's own local planning policy, both current and emerging.

c./Site AS1 fails to meet the requirements to protect the historic environment. The site is within the setting of the scheduled ancient monument Arbury Banks and is protected by NPPF and NHDC policy(SP13, para 4.151).

d./NHDC has failed to consult on the proposals to extend the settlement boundary in locations other than AS1 (within which there would be presumption in favour of development; Policy SP2) and has not responded adequately to previous representations.