Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

My husband and I, as residents of Bygrave, would like to express our concerns about the proposed development on Bygrave Common, Baldock.

We are strongly opposed to the use of green belt land being used for urban development. This land is at present valuable farming land, and therefore it would be more sensible to use other sites where the land is not farmed and that would not lead loss of livelihood and homes.

We are also concerned about there being insufficient water supply to cater for this large number of new homes. At the moment,there is just enough water for the North Herts area. As it is, since the new recycling plant has been installed on the A505, some homes in Bygrave have found their water supply diminished.

The increase in homes to this area would inevitably lead to increased use of the railway, and I am concerned about traffic congestion that would arise from this.

On a personal level, I am concerned about the erosion of wildlife habitat if this development is to go ahead. The land provides a suitable habitat for many varieties of hedgerow plants, some of which are protected, as well as for small animals and birds.

We also question, on a more general note, the reality of being able to provide 'affordable' homes, unless realistically, some sort of shared home ownership project is put in place. If the houses are to be made available to 1st time buyers, I would be concerned at the quality and aesthetic appeal of low quality housing.

I am sending this email from abroad as we are out of the country at the moment, so have not got more information at hand to refer to, but realised that the deadline to put forward our views was today, so I apologise for this hastily written email.

It would be a shame if the development were to go ahead, as what at present is a charming village would be swamped and the nature of Baldock as a country market town would be altered for ever.