Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

I am writing to comment on the North Hertfordshire District Council's Local Plan 2011 - 2031 (Proposed Submission, October 2016). In particular, I wish to object to the massive proposed development at the Blackhorse Farm site to the north of Baldock. My objections are based primarily on two of the "Tests of Soundness" that Local Plans are required to meet:

"Effective - the plan should be deliverable over its period and based on effective joint working on cross boundary strategic priorities;"

"Consistent with national policy - the plan should enable the delivery of sustainable

We fully appreciate that more houses need to be built, however it's the inequitable scale of the proposal that's so wrong and unfair. Addressing the new housing need of the whole of North Hertfordshire by almost doubling the size of Baldock; in virtually one location, on green belt land, is clearly the wrong way to proceed. The impact on Baldock and surrounding villages is simply punitive.

I will leave it to others with more knowledge of Baldock to outline the issues relating there and instead comment here on the impact of traffic to Bygrave. Air pollution is is one of the biggest killers in the UK, estimated to shorted the lives of 40k per year [BBC Feb 2016]. Bygrave already suffers from close proximity to the A505 (approx 1000m to the east of Bygrave) which is bearing increasing traffic flows as housing and industrial developments expand in Royston, Cambridge and surrounds. The noise and pollution from A505 traffic will only increase.

The proposed Baldock housing development will create extra traffic: approximately 5600 extra cars. This is estimated on 2 cars per new development household. I understand this excludes service vehicles.

The traffic will disproportionately impact Bygrave who will suffer increased levels across 3 sides: east via A505, south and west via the new road circling the development (connecting A507 to A505) and finally through the middle of Bygrave on the existing road going from Baldock to Ashwell. It will be horrendous during rush hour and unfortunately there'll be little relief at weekends because the road through the middle of Bygrave accommodates social traffic going to Ashwell and surrounding villages.

Bygrave is a quiet, rural village in green belt land with the majority of houses lining the Baldock -Ashwell road. It's tranquility is already threatened by noise and exhaust pollution from the A505 impact; especially on a easterly wind. The excesses of proposed development will have a serious and damaging impact on the quality of life of the people of Bygrave.

I should also bring to your attention the newly built Bygrave Lodge Aerobic Digestion plant. This generates electricity from rotting waste. Whilst efforts are made to reduce the stench of the feed, it is often the case that odorous smells (and it can be a nauseating stretch) get blown along the A505 to the Baldock junction and surrounding fields. In this regard I question the suitability of some of the more northern plots of the proposed black horse farm development.


Proposed changes to plan:

1. Significant reduction in the number and density of houses in the black horse farm development.

2. Compel NHDC to sell the land at a price that enables lower density quality buildings rather than at a price where the highest bidder can only pack the place with soulless boxes as a way to make a return on investment. Likewise to ensure a large portion of self-builds to add character.

3. Make the proposed road connecting A505 and A507: 1) A road having a 20mph limit with speed bumps. This will ensure it's only used for residential purposes rather than a rat run between the two roads. BTW the A505 and A507 are adequately connected where they meet near Letchworth. 2) To be a road situated in a deep cutting, that benefits from significant tree planting and connecting to the A505 via a tunnel under the railway line.

4. To provide significant noise protection to: 1) The A505 from the Baldock junction to that of Slip End aimed at protecting Bygrave from increased noise levels. 2) Bygrave residence close to the Baldock-Ashwell road.

I do hope you appreciate the issues raised. Please do not be tempted to rubber stamp this historic case study in planning mis-management.