Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

The strategy for developing so many houses on the Blackhorse Farm site north of Baldock is not so much strategic planning as disaster planning. Councillor Levitt has made it clear on many occasions that if NHDC don't submit a plan 'we are in the hands of the developers'. However, the number of houses on this site is unmanageable in regard of many NPPF guidelines. NHDC in their own report (attached) state that 'There is unlikely to be a housing need within the existing settlements in this area to justify a development of this scale', nothing has happened in Baldock to change this view in 3 years yet they continue with their 'strategic plan' even in after 8000 responses and no significant change to the plan with the clear public concern. The strategy is 'to fill our housing quota' and this is at the expense of Baldock & Bygrave

The vitality & viability of Baldock have not been taken into consideration with the proposed houses for the Town. Increasing the size of the town by 80% will do nothing for Baldock's historic market status. It is 1 of only 5 Herts towns classed as being of National importance for its historic character and has over 100 listed buildings. The extra pollution from the 'Baldock bowl' phenomenon will affect both human health as well as that of the historic architecture. We would either have a 'new town' on the edge of Baldock that has little involvement with the Town or a settlement that will destroy the fabric of the Town. Neither should be allowed to happen.

The 2800 houses fail to meet the tests of soundness (3&4)because it does not comply with NPPF policies and is not deliverable. Transport planning alone, which has yet to have been undertaken, will show the site to be non-viable for the number of houses being built when considering the unique road system in Baldock, that bottlenecks on the Great North Road at the railway bridge. Adding another 5000 cars is not sustainable.
Rail links are inadequate.
Local amenities already in deficit.
Not enough employment to meet demand.
It is non strategic, with little to no thought around these issues

A lack of detailed assessment of the transport needs of Baldock has not been undertaken, this should be done prior to going to the inspector. the issues are as follows:
Road Communications (local) - The current road network cannot support the level of traffic currently going through Baldock. The North Herts review, glosses over this important issue which would mean gridlock. Currently there is a queue of traffic for up to half a mile along the Great North Road every single morning trying to get into the Town. The proposed development will mean this will worsen.
The proposed link road A507-A505 will attract regional traffic so become a trunk road and further exacerbate the local transport problems. It will also affect the village of Bygrave which is less than 200 yds from its proposed site.
2. Road Communications (regional) - The A1 at Junction 9 & 10 is only a dual carriageway. This artery to the south and north is already blocked daily. It does not have the capacity for an extra 5000 cars.
3. Rail communications - Baldock is a main commuter Town. Currently the rail system is at capacity. Assuming that most of the 3000 adults will commute either by car or rail to work, as there are limited employment opportunities within the locale , this will place further strain on the rail system. Currently if you travel from Baldock station during morning or evening rush hours you are lucky to get a seat. Current levels of rail stock or Baldock station itself are insufficient for this proposal's rail needs & are unlikely to be able to be addressed.

The Blackhorse farm site north of Baldock is situated on green belt land that has been placed to stop urban sprawl (NPPF Para 80), however this site is a classic example of urban sprawl & exactly why the greenbelt act was enacted. NHDC have rode roughshod over this policy and have ignored brownfield sites that do fit the criteria. probably due to political pressure from the landlords of the Blackhorse farm site who happen to be Herts County Council. This is the type of activity that gives government a bad name.

The addition of 2500 houses and the accompanying 5000 cars in the Baldock area will increase pollution within the Town. Baldock did have an above national average asthma rate until the bypass removed many lorries from the town centre. Baldock also lies in a natural 'bowl' one that tends to hold any pollution rather than dissipate it. The additional cars will inevitably cause more pollution to the detriment of air quality and peoples health. We know Baldock is susceptible to this, unlike other NH towns & it is also at odds with para 124 of NPPF .

There are inadequate amenities to support the proposed development on the Blackhorse Farm site north of Baldock . Affinity water have said that the area has 'serious water stress'. I live in Upper Bygrave and have had no water at times over the past year with current capacity.
Para 177 of the NPPF has been ignored and Councillor Levitt falls back on his usual mantra of 'Its not a planning issue' . It may not be but it is a real and present one, that makes the size of this new settlement untenable.

There are not enough employment opportunities with the Town to support the likely 4000 new adults on the proposed development north of Baldock. The 19.6ha set aside in the plan will meet a fraction of the demand which means that most people will be commuters. Para 34 of the NPPF states that developments that generate significant movements should be minimized. Upwards of 3000 people commuting is 'significant' and therefore this development is at odds with the NPPF. The Town can hardly cope with traffic and rail use at present let alone with another 4000 people.