Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

The proposed new developments will give a greater than 24% increase in dwelling numbers realistically a 36% increase in those within the settlement boundary.
My first concerns relate to the impact of this big increase in the size of the village on the quality of life in Codicote. I feel that much of the infrastructure of this small country community will be overstretched by the proposed development.

Traffic and road safety. The development will increase traffic through the village centre and on the roads that enter the village. The B656 carries high levels of traffic, including many heavy trucks, through the heart of the village; this already poses a hazard to local residents as they use the pavements and cross the High Street. In addition traffic to access village facilities is high and would be greatly increased with the development, traffic along the Bury Lane and St Albans Road entrances to the village is already too heavy for the design of these partly single track roads.
Parking. Most residents of the High Street have no choice but to park their cars on the pavement and Increased use of the village facilities will increase pressure on parking to a dangerous level. It is very stressful for residents to be unable to park close to home and that this can create a real problem for people with restricted mobility. This problem is not addressed in the plan.
Pedestrians. It impossible navigate Codicote High Street with a wheelchair or child's pushchair without taking part of the journey on the road as cars parked over the kerb; the extra traffic will make this journey more dangerous for pedestrians.
Bicycle route. The Great North Way section of the National cycleway Route 12 runs through St Albans Road, Cowards Lane and Rabley Heath Road and the increased traffic will create dangerous conditions for cyclists on this road. This problem is not addressed in the plan.
Public transport and access to trains. The development will increase pressure on public transport. In the absence of suitable bus connections most people commuting to work rely on the trains from Knebworth, North Welwyn and Welwyn Garden City stations. The service from these stations is at near capacity with no seats available on rush-hour services. In addition there is insufficient parking on the roads of Knebworth and North Welwyn and in their associated railway station car parks. The development will make access to these services difficult.
Access to local healthcare. It is already difficult to get appointments at the local Welwyn doctor surgery.
Water supply. Water levels in the Mimram were recently seriously reduced due to over-extraction, the development will put further stress on the supplies.
Green Belt. The development will remove forever land that has been protected for us by Green Belt designation. Green Belt gives protection that has been respected by Codicote community over the last 60 years. The current plans are linked to protection from further local greenbelt erosion locally, but only until 2031, to me this feels like a shabby neglect of heritage that we hold in trust for future generations.
Loss of Footpaths. The fields of Valley Road and Cowards Lane sites are both well used by residents of Codicote. Short off-road walks close to the village are a great asset and their loss will be sorely felt.
Wider Concerns. I doubt that the policy to encourage investment in building in Hertfordshire and in the South East in general is based on sound evidence. Investment in the housing stock in the South East ensures that the imbalance of opportunities between the regions in the UK will continue and probably worsen; a better policy would be to direct investment to improving the economy of regions that currently have fewer employment opportunities. That way our unique countryside could be protected and vulnerable communities in areas of high unemployment would be helped.