Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

How can an increase of 73% in housing stock in such a short time safeguard the "vitality and vibrancy" of Baldock. It will stifle and kill it. I also fail to see how over 3,000 new houses in a rural area will "protect and enhance" our rich biodiversity.

The infrastructure in Baldock is already struggling to cope with existing use. Poorly thought out parking and road crossing alterations a few years ago make navigating central Baldock dangerous for pedestrians and drivers. Accidents with large lorries at the White Horse crossroads and collisions with the railway bridge abound. Proposed changes to rail timetables in 2018 will increase journey time to London by 20 minutes.

Baldock is the smallest town of the five listed for development in N Herts, yet it is proposed to increase it by nearly 75%. Hitchin and Stevenage are larger towns with far better infrastructure - road, rail and bus.

Baldock already suffers from congestion due to medieval town centre; large lorries cutting through from A1 to A505 colliding on numerous ccasions with the railway bridge and causing damage to properties on the White Horse crossroads junction. Increasing the size of the town by 73% will exacerbate these problems and cse problems on all surrounding roads with increased traffic volume. Rail company is proposing to increase journey times to London by 20 minutes. Trains are often full at Letchworth during rush hour so knock on effects for other stops will be profound.

The proposed increase in housing will decimate the character of the existing town and put undue strain on infrastructure not just in Baldock but on surrounding road and rail routes.