Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

I strongly object to the inclusion of the KW1 site on the Heath road, Breachwood Green as part of the North Hertfordshire District Council (NHDC) Local Plan 2011 - 2031 and believe the proposal is not justified, effective or sound for the following reasons:

1) The KW1 site is Green Belt land. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (written in March 2012) states the following:

"New Green Belts should only be established in exceptional circumstances, for example when planning for larger scale development such as new settlements or major urban extensions. If proposing a new Green Belt, local planning authorities should demonstrate why normal planning and development management policies would not be adequate."

Building upon the KW1 site is not an 'exceptional circumstance' due to the fact that alternative sites exist within NHDC which are not on Green Belt Land, for example in Preston, St Paul's Walden and Whitwell (note, within North Hertfordshire 62% of the land is not Green Belt land). Furthermore, the KW1 site is proposed for a private development of market value homes and therefore does not meet the need established for 12 units of social housing.

2) Breachwood Green has no doctor's surgery, no shops, a local primary school that cannot be extended and a limited public transport system which is already at capacity for children travelling to school. As stated within the Sustainability appraisal of the NHDC local plan, KW1 is an 'isolated site which would be poor in terms of accessing local services and facilities'. Furthermore, the report also states that an 'increased population is unlikely to encourage new business in the area'.

3) The KW1 site is not derelict unused land, unlike other sites in KWPC; for example where Darley road meets Church Road in Breachwood Green. Instead it is used by the families of the Heath on a daily basis as allotments and as their gardens which their own properties do not offer. Not only is the land worked for fruit and vegetables, but for many it is the only immediate safe green space that their children can enjoy. The community that has built up between the neighbours of the Heath is centred around the ability to socialise on this green and open space next to their properties. Consequently providing an alternative allotment away from the resident's property is not considered a suitable alternative. It is not a sound and justified plan to build on land which is used by so many families when there are suitable alternatives available.

4) The KW1 site is agricultural land grade 3, including hedgerows, and an abundance of wildlife. As Green belt land it has an important role in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment of further dwellings. Further housing will also cause an increased amount of road traffic (including commuters) onto an already very busy Heath road, which has inherent effects on the environment.

5) Significant upgrades would be required to the waste water and drainage system around the Heath due to the fact that the system is already operating near full capacity (as identified in NHDC planning constraints matrix).

6) The KW1 site is under the Luton Airport flight path which provides significant noise disturbance and pollution that will only increase with the current expansion of the Airport.

7) Dwellings immediately adjacent to site KW1 generate a disproportionate volume of traffic and parking for a narrow road. The additional burden of vehicles resulting from development of this site would unreasonably exacerbate the danger to pedestrians and hazard to road-users on this route through the village. Access and egress between the site and the existing road would involve a blind corner of the busy road through the village. With limited public transport available for the village, air pollution will inevitably worsen. Many of the roads in and around the village are single track roads which are poorly maintained with many potholes, the road infrastructure is not adequate enough for an increase in vehicles.

8) The proposal of up to 16 houses is a large development in comparison to the size of the land and the number of properties currently located on the Heath. It appears that no consideration has been given to the current residents of The Heath whose homes would be built close to thus obscuring natural light, views and privacy.

9) During the King's Walden Parish Council meeting held in Breachwood Green on 8th November 2016 all councillors were asked why the Parish Council had previously supported the NHDC local plan and they confirmed that they did not know and would consequently be re-evaluating their position.

10) As stated within the NHDC Green Belt review, further building on the KW1 site and infill of Breachwood Green would "change the character of the village as a whole". This change is not required and not wanted.

The aforementioned statements clearly identify why the NHDC local plan is not just justified, effective or sound in proposing to build on the KW1 site.