Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

My comments on the North Herts District Local Plan 2011-2031 are limited to concerns over future housing development. I understand the need to build more homes locally and nationally but I have reservations about the siting and type of development envisaged in this Plan.

Firstly, the bulk of housing development quite rightly should be close to existing larger conurbations where local amenities and infrastructure already exists and are capable of withstanding any proposed new developments. Unfortunately there are instances where the Local Plan does not appear to back this up. Largish proposed developments on the outskirts of small villages where amenities and infrastructure are inadequate to cope with these does not make practical sense. A very good example of this is Barkway BK3. Such developments on near small villages also have a disproportionate impact on the local community and on the environment. The increased use of vehicles to convey people to and from employment and shops in nearby towns will have a deleterious effect on pollution levels in rural areas. Should we not be finding ways and means to decrease our carbon footprint rather the opposite?

Secondly, regarding the size and type of housing proposed, I note with great concern an ever growing trend towards new housing being large dwellings with high market value. Whilst I appreciate that such developments maximise profits to land owners and building contractors, it may not be fullfilling a real local housing need. For instance, again in the smaller villages, there is a genuine need for truly affordable housing in order to retain at least some of the younger generation growing up in those villages now. Not providing such affordable homes will in time have a dramatic impact on the demographics in small villages and a deleterious effect on the working community spirit within them.

I trust that my comments will be noted and hopefully taken into account.