Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

I am in principle in support of a local plan for North Herts in order to control sustainable house building that is required in our vicinity. However there are aspects of this local plan that are in contravention of the four "Tests of Soundness". Overall I object to the inequality of the size of developments which have targeted Baldock. Building of houses in Baldock is a necessity however to propose an increase of 80% over the next 14 years would not be sustainable in such a small and historical town. My reasons for objection are listed under the appropriate sections.

Object on grounds of:
- traffic congestion within town and specifically at crossroads and mini roundabout. North Herts has failed to carry out a transport assessment prior to proposing such a large increase in housing which could more than double the number of cars using the town.
- pollution from traffic is already rising and would reach unacceptable levels again within Baldock's natural bowl.
- link road from A507 to A505 is already needed with present congestion and traffic accident levels. This needs to be built prior to any house building. Hard to see how a major trunk road to take number of cars and heavy high sided lorries can be built over the railway line.
- rail capacity is at optimum now with only 4 carriage trains able to stop at station. Rail provider has not been consulted as how it can double its capacity.
- inadequate infrastructure at present so this must be fully assessed and dealt with prior to building. Water provider already classes Baldock at a critical stress level
- lack of green spaces and sports facilities now which is below the national average therefore needs to be addressed prior to building.
- No detailed Transport Assessment has been carried out in Baldock prior to proposing an additional 3290 new homes. There is already congestion within the town centre at the mini roundabout and at the cross roads traffic lights.