Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

I am writing to express my strong objection to the proposed local plan for North Hertfordshire and in particular sites IC2 and IC3.

Ickleford is a historical village with a strong sense of community and pride in our independence from our neighbouring town, Hitchin.
The volume of housing proposed within the boundaries of Ickleford is completely disproportionate to the size of the existing village and would place a larger burden on the village of Ickleford than any other village in North Hertfordshire.

In particular the proposed development of IC2 and IC3 is not sound as it is in conflict with the National Planning Policy Framework which specifically states that the existence of designated green-belt land is to prevent "urban sprawl". Simply looking at a map and filling in the gaps with housing will lead to the dissolution of our village as it becomes only a surburb of Hitchin. The fragile boundary of one field (IC2) is what prevents the sprawl of Hitchin to the north. This site also provides a buffer zone for the wildlife living in the adjoining nature reserve, Oughtonhead Common. Heavy residential development of this site will no doubt lead to pollution of the river, air quality and general beauty of this well loved and popular countryside reserve.

The proposed plan in relation to IC2 & IC3 is also unsound as it does not take into consideration the increase in traffic on the A600 Bedford Rd. This is already an extremely congested road and does not have the capacity to withstand any more local traffic commuting into Hitchin and well as traffic from Bedfordshire. This will cause commuters to use Turnpike Lane and Old Hale Way as a cut through to access the roads to Stevenage and Luton. These residential streets are used daily by families who are taking children to and from the 4 schools in the local area. These roads are already dangerous due to the volume of parked cars and traffic giving way; any increase in volume of cars on these roads will only exacerbate this danger to young people.

I also have grave concerns about the proposed plan to relocate the village school to site IC3. The village school is the quintessential heart of the village, forming a triangle of landmarks with the church and village hall around the village green. This is where village families meet and converse. Without this connection, the strong sense of community upon which our village thrives will inevitably erode and the village green will purely become a walk through on a commute to a larger school site on the north boundary of the village. This is in direct contradiction to NHDC policy to protect and enhance the historical character of its villages and is therefore not sound.

No prior consultation was allowed for site IC3 as residents were not made aware of its existence on the local plan before the original consultation deadline. This means that it is not legally compliant. Also, no reference was made to the objections submitted in good faith regarding site IC2 with concerns raised about urban sprawl and increased traffic and pollution. This is not in keeping with your planning policies and does not instil confidence in the objectivity of the whole process.

There are currently several large existing planning applications for residential homes at various stages of development that don't appear to have been taken into account in the local plan. The development of these sites, which are currently derelict or used for commercial purposes, will not alter the character of the village or add undue burden.

In summary, I consider this proposed plan to put a disproportionate burden on the village of Ickleford. It would mean the absorption of Ickleford into the town of Hitchin and could lead to further sprawl towards to the Bedfordshire border. It does not take into consideration the existing planning applications for multiple residential developments in the village. It would destroy the sense of community and the historical character of the village. It would lead to an unacceptable increase in traffic through the village and would have a detrimental effect on the air quality for the residents of the village.

For all these reasons, I state that this proposed plan is not sound and not legally compliant.

I should be grateful if you would take my points into consideration and keep me informed about any future decisions and developments in relation to these sites.

I am writing to express my strong objection to the proposed local plan for North Hertfordshire and in particular sites IC2 and IC3.

Ickleford is a historical village with a strong sense of community and pride in our independence from our neighbouring town, Hitchin.
The volume of housing proposed within the boundaries of Ickleford is completely disproportionate to the size of the existing village and would place a larger burden on the village of Ickleford than any other village in North Hertfordshire.

In particular the proposed development of IC2 and IC3 is not sound as it is in conflict with the National Planning Policy Framework which specifically states that the existence of designated green-belt land is to prevent "urban sprawl". Simply looking at a map and filling in the gaps with housing will lead to the dissolution of our village as it becomes only a surburb of Hitchin. The fragile boundary of one field (IC2) is what prevents the sprawl of Hitchin to the north. This site also provides a buffer zone for the wildlife living in the adjoining nature reserve, Oughtonhead Common. Heavy residential development of this site will no doubt lead to pollution of the river, air quality and general beauty of this well loved and popular countryside reserve.

The proposed plan in relation to IC2 & IC3 is also unsound as it does not take into consideration the increase in traffic on the A600 Bedford Rd. This is already an extremely congested road and does not have the capacity to withstand any more local traffic commuting into Hitchin and well as traffic from Bedfordshire. This will cause commuters to use Turnpike Lane and Old Hale Way as a cut through to access the roads to Stevenage and Luton. These residential streets are used daily by families who are taking children to and from the 4 schools in the local area. These roads are already dangerous due to the volume of parked cars and traffic giving way; any increase in volume of cars on these roads will only exacerbate this danger to young people.

I also have grave concerns about the proposed plan to relocate the village school to site IC3. The village school is the quintessential heart of the village, forming a triangle of landmarks with the church and village hall around the village green. This is where village families meet and converse. Without this connection, the strong sense of community upon which our village thrives will inevitably erode and the village green will purely become a walk through on a commute to a larger school site on the north boundary of the village. This is in direct contradiction to NHDC policy to protect and enhance the historical character of its villages and is therefore not sound.

No prior consultation was allowed for site IC3 as residents were not made aware of its existence on the local plan before the original consultation deadline. This means that it is not legally compliant. Also, no reference was made to the objections submitted in good faith regarding site IC2 with concerns raised about urban sprawl and increased traffic and pollution. This is not in keeping with your planning policies and does not instil confidence in the objectivity of the whole process.

There are currently several large existing planning applications for residential homes at various stages of development that don't appear to have been taken into account in the local plan. The development of these sites, which are currently derelict or used for commercial purposes, will not alter the character of the village or add undue burden.

In summary, I consider this proposed plan to put a disproportionate burden on the village of Ickleford. It would mean the absorption of Ickleford into the town of Hitchin and could lead to further sprawl towards to the Bedfordshire border. It does not take into consideration the existing planning applications for multiple residential developments in the village. It would destroy the sense of community and the historical character of the village. It would lead to an unacceptable increase in traffic through the village and would have a detrimental effect on the air quality for the residents of the village.

For all these reasons, I state that this proposed plan is not sound and not legally compliant.

I should be grateful if you would take my points into consideration and keep me informed about any future decisions and developments in relation to these sites.