Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

I would like to highlight just a few of the many valid reasons why the proposed development will be catastrophic for Baldock.

The Need for Expansion:
The need for such large scale development remains unproved. The expansion is clearly only to facilitate working outside of London and Cambridge, with no evidence of the need for large scale additional housing for the local population; this cannot be disputed. There is no evidence that further employment to be established in the town. It will certainly not benefit and is not wanted by the residents.
There will be greater pressure on all amenities including shops, the GP surgery, dentists, vets, sports facilities as well as the emergency services and schools. Baldock police station was closed within the last few years. Baldock will be changed from being the smallest of the North Hertfordshire towns to being one of the biggest.

Detrimental to the Character of Baldock:
Baldock is a small historic market town, containing the largest number of listed buildings within North Hertfordshire. The town has a well defined sense of community. The proposed development will increase the population of the town twofold and will have an unacceptable effect on the physical character of the town and the community spirit. It is worth highlighting that the Clothall Common development of the 1990s, considerably smaller than that now proposed, not being integrated with the town ethos and being seen very much as a separate entity.

Transport:
Those in the new development will need to travel to and from Baldock to their workplace. This will either be by car or rail.
Traffic within the town centre will be severely and adversely impacted with the real possibility of gridlock within the town, particularly at the junction of Rayban court. Due to the surrounding listed buildings there is minimal scope for development of the road plan and traffic flow. I have seen nothing which would suggest that this has been considered. The A1(M) and other major routes including the A505, A507 and the A602 are already severely congested, with unacceptable journey times extending the working day by several hours. Greater traffic will result in further unnecessary accidents.
Baldock railway station is of small scale with no scope for expansion due to surrounding housing- newly built. The station only has parking for a very limited number of cars again with no prospect of expansion. It is not capable of accommodating any significant increase in the number of people using the service. Trains are very over-crowded during peak travel times.

Environmental Impact:
The environment in which the residents of Baldock live will be significantly affected; greater pollution- air & water and general rubbish. Wear and tear on the roads will increase. Open spaces will be curtailed. Wildlife, including known areas of habitat for rare species will be reduced. Rain water run-off will be affected with increased risk of flooding- Baldock lies within a distinct dip.
Land to be used for housing is prime agricultural land required for the growing crops; locally sourced food reduces the carbon footprint and is in line with the Governments policy.
The listed buildings within Baldock, some over 500 years old are close to the existing roads. Resulting increase vibration as a consequence of traffic escalation, together with pollution increase can only result in deterioration of these historic buildings,

Utility Services:
The current sewage system and treatment works will be unable to cope with the increase in waste. Demands on water supply to the additional homes is unlikely to be met by the present water reserves and infrastructure. Similarly the development will stretch demands for electricity and gas supplies, requiring further infrastructure development and large scale disruption

In summary, the very reasons why those who chose to live their lives in this town will be taken away. The plan is unworkable and the outcome unmanageable, with no benefit to the community.