Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

Paragraph 13.316

The identification of St Ippolyts/Gosmore as a combined Category A Village and the defining of a settlement/Green Belt boundary is welcomed and supported. These twin villages have a distinct identity and community with a modicum of facilities, but also benefit from easy access to Hitchin and all the higher order facilities therein. Allowing general development within the settlement boundary and the allocation of a housing site in each village is also endorsed.

The allocation of SI2, which has long featured in earlier allocation/SHLAA documents, is welcomed. For the avoidance of any doubt, this site remains suitable, available and deliverable within the Plan period.

Mindful of the Regulation 18 consultation statement comments and in response to the subsequent policy bullet points, all three are acceptable as being appropriate and reasonable. Apart from scrub, the majority of the existing trees are along the boundaries of the site and both these and the right of way (to the east of the site) can be incorporated readily within any layout.