Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

I write to you with regards to the inclusion of site BK3 in your NHDC Local Plan 2011-2031. I would strongly request that site BK3 is removed from the NHDC Local Plan.
It would appear that the NHDC Plan is not sound or justified to have included BK3 as it contravenes many of its own planning policies and those of the National Planning Framework Policy (NPPF).
Site BK3 is an unsustainable development. It will be built on Grade II agricultural land. This land as well as being farmed to grow food, is also a known wildlife corridor for fallow deer and a roosting place for endangered pipistrelle bats. In previous drafts of the Local Plan this site has been excluded or rejected. Nothing has changed regarding site BK3 so the same reasons for it being classed as unsuitable must still be applicable.
The proposal of 140 additional homes on site BK3 is totally inappropriate and disproportionate for the small historic village of Barkway. It would be situated at the north western edge of the village and would become a satelite area and would not integrate easily with the rest of the village. Access to the site would be difficult for pedestrians as there is no street lighting or continuous footpaths. I cannot see any intention by NHDC to improve infrastructure to accommodate this.
As Barkway has very few amenities, no shop or doctors, very limited public transport and minimal employment opportunities, most adults require the use of a private vehicle. This could mean BK3 would create an additional 280 vehicles in the village. This surely is grossly unsustainable! There is also no mention that NHDC would ensure the upgrading of the C class narrow and hazardous road network to accommodate this additional traffic that would need to be used to access necessary day to day facilities away from the village.
Site BK3 is situated along the end of the Chiltern Ridge and is part of the East Anglian Heights. Light pollution from this new development will be seen many miles away from a northerly direction.
In summary, I believe that the inclusion in the NHDC Local Plan of site BK3 when combined with sites BK1 and BK2 within the village of Barkway, is not sustainable and is contrary to several paragraphs of the National Planning Policy Framework (the NPPF clearly states the "presumption in favour of sustainable development") and contradicts North Hertfordshire District Council's own policies. I would request that site BK3 is removed from the Plan.