Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the comments of Ashwell Parish Council in the evaluation of the proposed Site AS1 plans and record my objections to these.

Whilst personally I am not qualified in terms of the legal nuances and procedures I understand that there are legal aspects to the proposal raised by the Parish Council as follows;

These objections to the soundness of the NHDC Local Plan for Ashwell can be summarised as
*Site AS1 fails to meet the requirements for highway safety to protect pedestrians and other road users as defined in both National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and NHDC's own current and emerging planning policy for Highway Safety (Policy T1).
*Site AS1 fails to meet the requirements to protect valued landscapes. The site is within the North Baldock Chalk Uplands Character Area and development is restricted under National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and NHDC's own local planning policy, both current and emerging.
*Site AS1 fails to meet the requirements to protect the historic environment. The site is within the setting of the scheduled ancient monument Arbury Banks and is protected by NPPF and NHDC policy (SP13, para 4.151).
*NHDC has failed to consult on the proposals to extend the settlement boundary in locations other than AS1 (within which there would be a presumption in favour of development; Policy SP2) and has not responded adequately to previous representations.
In addition to the above I am also concerned that with the planned development of the factory site in Ashwell Street that this area of the village will become extremely congested. You only have to see the excess number of cars already parked on bends, near junctions in Ashwell Street to realise that more housing will lead to a compromise of safety.

I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the comments of Ashwell Parish Council in the evaluation of the proposed Site AS1 plans and record my objections to these.

Whilst personally I am not qualified in terms of the legal nuances and procedures I understand that there are legal aspects to the proposal raised by the Parish Council as follows;

These objections to the soundness of the NHDC Local Plan for Ashwell can be summarised as
*Site AS1 fails to meet the requirements for highway safety to protect pedestrians and other road users as defined in both National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and NHDC's own current and emerging planning policy for Highway Safety (Policy T1).
*Site AS1 fails to meet the requirements to protect valued landscapes. The site is within the North Baldock Chalk Uplands Character Area and development is restricted under National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and NHDC's own local planning policy, both current and emerging.
*Site AS1 fails to meet the requirements to protect the historic environment. The site is within the setting of the scheduled ancient monument Arbury Banks and is protected by NPPF and NHDC policy (SP13, para 4.151).
*NHDC has failed to consult on the proposals to extend the settlement boundary in locations other than AS1 (within which there would be a presumption in favour of development; Policy SP2) and has not responded adequately to previous representations.
In addition to the above I am also concerned that with the planned development of the factory site in Ashwell Street that this area of the village will become extremely congested. You only have to see the excess number of cars already parked on bends, near junctions in Ashwell Street to realise that more housing will lead to a compromise of safety.