Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

I wish to object to the outrageous expansion plans you have for Codicote for the following reasons:-

INFRASTRUCTURE
There is no way the infrastructure will cope with your plans to create 315 new homes, an increase of 25%, and probably over a thousand more people. These plans combined with your plans for Knebworth will swamp the area and seriously overstretch all the existing facilities.

TRAFFIC and ROAD SAFETY
The B656, on which Codicote is located, is already known as the 4th Lane of the A1M. I understand there are no plans to upgrade this road, which is very busy during normal hours and, at peak times, there is a queue from Codicote to Hitchin. This is resulting is small lanes, such as Drivers End Lane, Hitchin Lane, Old Knebworth Lane and Bury lane becoming rat runs. In addition to this there is no way the road surfaces will survive, especially with the increase in heavy traffic.

PARKING
Driving through Codicote with parking on both sides of the High Street is already a nightmare. Another 600 cars will create "Carmaggedon".

HEALTHCARE
Following the cancellation of the plans for the new hospital in Hertford and the closure of the QE2 in Welwyn the Lister Hospital is already pushed to its limits.The addition of about 2000 extra residents in Codicote and Knebworth will be the final straw that breaks the camel's back. In addition to this the local surgeries in Whitwell, Welwyn and Knebworth are already at breaking point.

POWER, WATER & DRAINAGE
Has the NHDC taken into account the extra supply of electricity, water and drainage facilities that will need to be provided for such a large number of new houses.

SCHOOLING
The existing school will not be able to cope with the 300+ children that the new houses could produce. Has the NHDC plans to build additional buildings to accommodate them and the land to build them on?

ENVIRONMENT
These proposals will be a further erosion of irreplaceable Green Belt and , if the NHDC carries on with its development plans for the area, the area between Welwyn, Hatfield, Hitchin and Stevenage will end up being one massive ugly conurbation.

REMEDY
Could the NHDC consider building a new Garden City like Welwyn or Letchworth which would be the answer and accommodate the demands of an ever-increasing population?