Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

Letchworth Garden City is the World' s First Garden City and is promoted worldwide for it's planning. However, historical assets are being threatened, backed only by a small hand full of officials despite an outcry from residents of Letchworth (those who are aware of this proposed housing as there has been ineffective communication).
The site is inappropriate as being too far from town. Our garden city principles state that amenities should be within reasonable walking distance.
I object to building on our green belt as our population capacity is also a historical asset. Our population is specified at 32,000 by being the World's First Garden City.
The importance of our green belt is paramount and it's preservation was stipulated by Parliament in 1993.
I also object because the Local Plan also exceeds hugely our Local Needs, and by doing so, looks at green belt to fulfil. Any development in these circumstances should be restricted - according to National Framework guidance.

Green Belt Policy
NHDC have failed to demonstrate any exceptional circumstances to build on green belt, justified with unconvincing figures. Half of the housing proposed in Letchworth is Green belt - and this percentage only increases through the Local Plan sites.
In October 2014, the dept. of communities and Local government stated that" drawing on protections in the National Planning Policy Framework to safeguard their local area against urban sprawl, and protect the green lungs around towns and cities".
LG1 is an proposed housing estate of 900 homes attached to a current housing estate at the north of our town is urban sprawl therefore I object.

This site is within 60 metres of Bedfordshire border and Stotfold continues to grow and recently has began to expand into the land only one field away from this development.
(see photo expansion of Stotfold and view from edge of LG1 as attached)

Biodiversity
This is one of the most biodiverse in the county and is a haven for many red listed wildlife and flora. I understand that the hedges date back 400 years or more.
This land has been given grants to created stewardships for nature to flourish and this has led to a haven for wildlife. This is a long list of wildlife - many red species. Also the Letchworth Gravels should also be recognised dating back 500,000 years ago.
In turn, this land is priceless for recreation. The calling for a Nature and Wellbeing Act continues. The land north of Letchworth is exactly what this Act would be protecting. The sense of quiet and calm is very strong for walkers, runners and cyclist throughout the year. NHDC's Biodiversity Action Plan 2005 should continue to protect this heavily rich land.

Infrastructure
I object because the current infrastructure is not flexible to adapt to accommodate further traffic.
North of Letchworth suffers terribly with traffic. Our roads are often grid lock at peak times and are dangerous. Routes for the housing run past schools. Traffic is backed from Green Lane/Norton Road junction to Glebe Road every day, Norton Way North is often backed up from the Grange junction to Icknield Way, Cowslip Hill is a rat run and is severely congested also due to commuter parking. Road parking in our town is becoming increasing more dangerous due to amount. There is little commuter parking and so far, no plans have transpired to facilitate the current commuter parking, let alone anymore. Taking away grass verges and tree lined road is not an option due to world-wide recognition for town planning.
Traffic filters to and from the A1M from junction 9 and 10. There is currently no signage at junction 10 to indicate Letchworth However, the traffic from A507 towards Letchworth is at capacity -due to having to go through the village of Norton. Any further excessive housing would increase this to dangerous levels and again there is little flexibility to change road configuration. Any traffic from junction 9 blocks the roads currently. Pixmore Road is the main access road and has always been dangerous.
(see photos attached of Norton Road at peak times).

Alternative sites

I suggest that the need for housing figures are looked at again. This Local Plan seems heavily weighted on green belt land rather than accessing brownfield sites, as stipulated by the National Planning Policy and therefore unsound.
I understand that North Herts population is projected, even pre- Brexit to increase 0.34% per year for 20 years. The Local Plan has been exaggerated by NHDC, and considering 4,340 have already been built/approved, the figures here also need looking at.

I also object because NHD do not seem to have taken into consideration empty dwellings. At a public council meeting, Mr Levett didn't have any figures available for this. The figures are that in October 2013, there were 1,249 empty dwelling in North Herts (422 long term).

I object also as NHDC have disregarded true brownfield figures.
CPRE document 'From Wasted Space to Living Spaces. (Nov 2014) the figure for North Herts is listed as having brownfield land suitable for 11,000 homes.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-land-use-database-of-previously-developed-land-nlud-pdl

As a Letchworth resident I object to building on site LG3.
I also object strongly about building on this land. First it is green belt land and is situated in the wrong place for extensive housing of 120 homes. There is little infrastructure to support this site. The historical village of Norton needs further protection.

Letchworth Garden City is the World' s First Garden City and is promoted worldwide for it's planning. However, historical assets are being threatened, backed only by a small hand full of officials despite an outcry from residents of Letchworth (those who are aware of this proposed housing as there has been ineffective communication).
The site is inappropriate as being too far from town. Our garden city principles state that amenities should be within reasonable walking distance.
I object to building on our green belt as our population capacity is also a historical asset. Our population is specified at 32,000 by being the World's First Garden City.
The importance of our green belt is paramount and it's preservation was stipulated by Parliament in 1993.
I also object because the Local Plan also exceeds hugely our Local Needs, and by doing so, looks at green belt to fulfil. Any development in these circumstances should be restricted - according to National Framework guidance.

Green Belt Policy
NHDC have failed to demonstrate any exceptional circumstances to build on green belt, justified with unconvincing figures. Half of the housing proposed in Letchworth is Green belt - and this percentage only increases through the Local Plan sites.
In October 2014, the dept. of communities and Local government stated that" drawing on protections in the National Planning Policy Framework to safeguard their local area against urban sprawl, and protect the green lungs around towns and cities".
LG1 is an proposed housing estate of 900 homes attached to a current housing estate at the north of our town is urban sprawl therefore I object.

This site is within 60 metres of Bedfordshire border and Stotfold continues to grow and recently has began to expand into the land only one field away from this development.
(see photo expansion of Stotfold and view from edge of LG1 as attached)

Biodiversity
This is one of the most biodiverse in the county and is a haven for many red listed wildlife and flora. I understand that the hedges date back 400 years or more.
This land has been given grants to created stewardships for nature to flourish and this has led to a haven for wildlife. This is a long list of wildlife - many red species. Also the Letchworth Gravels should also be recognised dating back 500,000 years ago.
In turn, this land is priceless for recreation. The calling for a Nature and Wellbeing Act continues. The land north of Letchworth is exactly what this Act would be protecting. The sense of quiet and calm is very strong for walkers, runners and cyclist throughout the year. NHDC's Biodiversity Action Plan 2005 should continue to protect this heavily rich land.

Infrastructure
I object because the current infrastructure is not flexible to adapt to accommodate further traffic.
North of Letchworth suffers terribly with traffic. Our roads are often grid lock at peak times and are dangerous. Routes for the housing run past schools. Traffic is backed from Green Lane/Norton Road junction to Glebe Road every day, Norton Way North is often backed up from the Grange junction to Icknield Way, Cowslip Hill is a rat run and is severely congested also due to commuter parking. Road parking in our town is becoming increasing more dangerous due to amount. There is little commuter parking and so far, no plans have transpired to facilitate the current commuter parking, let alone anymore. Taking away grass verges and tree lined road is not an option due to world-wide recognition for town planning.
Traffic filters to and from the A1M from junction 9 and 10. There is currently no signage at junction 10 to indicate Letchworth However, the traffic from A507 towards Letchworth is at capacity -due to having to go through the village of Norton. Any further excessive housing would increase this to dangerous levels and again there is little flexibility to change road configuration. Any traffic from junction 9 blocks the roads currently. Pixmore Road is the main access road and has always been dangerous.
(see photos attached of Norton Road at peak times).

Alternative sites

I suggest that the need for housing figures are looked at again. This Local Plan seems heavily weighted on green belt land rather than accessing brownfield sites, as stipulated by the National Planning Policy and therefore unsound.
I understand that North Herts population is projected, even pre- Brexit to increase 0.34% per year for 20 years. The Local Plan has been exaggerated by NHDC, and considering 4,340 have already been built/approved, the figures here also need looking at.

I also object because NHD do not seem to have taken into consideration empty dwellings. At a public council meeting, Mr Levett didn't have any figures available for this. The figures are that in October 2013, there were 1,249 empty dwelling in North Herts (422 long term).

I object also as NHDC have disregarded true brownfield figures.
CPRE document 'From Wasted Space to Living Spaces. (Nov 2014) the figure for North Herts is listed as having brownfield land suitable for 11,000 homes.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-land-use-database-of-previously-developed-land-nlud-pdl