Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

I am writing to express my concerns about the proposed build of 2,800 new homes on land to the north of Baldock; I have referred to the Proposals Map.

My concerns are as follows:

This proposal will place the existing infrastructure in Baldock under increased pressure in terms of volume of traffic, use of local amenities including schools, access to General Practitioners and shops. Baldock as a town is thriving but only because it is able to support the community in its current state. There are sufficient shops in the town but there is additional traffic due to Tesco which produces a burden on the local community not only because of taking business from local traders but also because of volume of traffic. Adding more houses to Baldock will only place further pressure on traffic.

From an environmental point of view, I find it hard to imagine that this new housing development won't have an impact on areas which should be allocated for conservation and we should protect greenfield areas. Baldock has easy access to greenfield areas and surrounding villages, I foresee that this access will be prohibited if building occurs on these greenfield sites.

The building of these houses will only cause further development of Baldock from a rural market town to a more built-up area which will impose burdens on existing traffic flow and the ability to access areas of natural beauty.

Finally, we need to learn from past mistakes when the perception is that new houses are needed when the building on brownfield sites has not yet been exhausted. We should cherish what was farmland and green areas to provide a mixture of rural and town. This proposal will mean that we no longer have the choice of both. Baldock is a lovely town and has many assets not least the ability to walk only a short distance to fields grass land.

Creating a new infrastructure will only serve to divide the town and place pressure on the existing infrastructure.

Please keep Baldock as it is without the need to create another community in the town.