Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

I am writing this email to object to the planned development of the greenbelt surrounding Codicote village. For anybody living locally, or if you were to visit, it is clear that the proposed development would have a significant negative impact on the local environment and infrastructure.

The local road network, particularly running through the centre of the village, is already a difficult area to navigate safely, especially with the high volume of quarry trucks. The vehicles from an additional 300 houses will inevitably result in not only congestion but also most likely a fatality in the near future. The local drainage systems will be pushed beyond their capacity leading to environmental discharges to the local waterways which contain protected species.

The rural nature of Codicote is uniquely special for an area so close to London and the expansion of the village will ultimately result in the loss of community spirit and all the benefits that this brings to the population in and around the local area. A far better approach would be to develop a new village/town as has already been previously proposed to the North West of Stevenage.

Whilst I appreciate there is a need for additional housing, there are far better solutions to this than continual expansion of our rural villages. This sort of development will create housing that developers will primarily benefit from rather than creation of affordable housing that constitutes the clear majority of the demand.