Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

After wading through the planning document, I was concerned to see that the small town of Royston is expected top absorb over 1000 homes, without much additional spending on it's infrastructure, or consideration of transport.

The Govia Thameslink plan for timetable alteration, is working on the figures of nearly 800,000 journeys in to London per year, this seems considerably higher the 500, 000 that the planning documentation cites. The semi fast half hourly services in to London from Royston have become noticeably busier, to the point of over crowded. Can I ask if you have been in recent contact with rail providers to discuss the impact of your planned housing increase?

I would argue that increased rail provision needs to take place, otherwise the quality will diminish further (if possible).

In addition, I would also disagree that healthcare provision is adequate. We have no A&E (nearest Cambridge) and it is one area of concern for the all areas,and ages of the community.

I also have great concern for leisure provision. As someone who commutes daily to London, it feels that while I'm expected to contribute fiscally, no thought is given to those like for using the facilities. The swimming pool is incredibly busy in the evenings (7 pm on wards) and not open early enough in the morning for commuters. In addition, Gym provision is minimal, and the space tiny.

While I appreciate housing needs to be provided, the figures used for transport look badly out of date. Commuting in to London seems to have increased rapidly, but the plan seems to assume that we all work locally.

I hope that drainage will also be addressed as a matter of urgency, After any heavy rainfall, Royston has several black spots which flood immediately. I fail to see how adding a huge number of houses will do anything but exacerbate the situation.