Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

Site AS1 lies outside the current village boundary which has been altered by the NHDC without consultation and as such is unjustified.
The site is totally unsuitable for development. There is a steep slope down to the core of the village, a footpath is narrow and has many steps so is not suitable for those in wheelchairs or pushing a child's seat.
The roadway from the site is dangerous, there is no footway down Claybush Hill nor any chance of providing one as there are steep banks on either side. The corner into Ashwell Street is blind and narrow so walkers would be at great peril.
There is a significant scheduled ancient monument, Arbury Banks, close by the site and there may be significant archaeological deposits below ground.
Previous planning applications on this site have been rejected on three occasions by the NHDC and on appeal by the Inspector. The reasons given have centred around the siting above the village and the intrusion on the sky line apart from the reasons given above.

Until clear plans are made for the improvement in infrastructure, ie roads (including A1, A505, A507 and lesser roadways); rail links to London and Cambridge; schooling; Hospital provision; GP Surgeries; not to mention mains water etc are clearly spelt out, the addition of 8,000 people in and around Baldock can not be supported.