Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

As a long standing resident of Codicote I have no overall objection to the building of houses on the proposed sites, including the land south of Cowards Lane.

I do however have a number of concerns that I would like put on record.

Specific to the land south of Cowards Lane

* I would not like the rural nature of Cowards Lane to be changed by widening or adding of pavements.
* The junction between Cowards Lane and the High Street is an awkward junction. The additional housing will require vehicular access to the main road. I would strongly object to this being achieved via Cowards Lane.
* I suspect the surface water drainage system between Cowards Lane and the High Street is at times nearing maximum capacity. The impact of additional housing would need to be assessed and if necessary drainage capacity enlarged prior to the building of houses.

Of general concern

* I understand that the school in Codicote is already nearing maximum capacity. This should be fully and properly addressed prior to significantly increasing the population of the village - and is not to be fudged by simply increasing class room sizes.
* Parking in Codicote is already a significant problem, especially on the High Street. Increasing house numbers by 179 can only make this situation worse. All new housing must have adequate off street parking for at least two cars and parking in the High Street properly managed by perhaps the use of designated, diagonal parking slots on one side of the road, if space permits. Parking on the pavement should not be permitted and the speed limit through the village should be reduced to 20mph, and enforced.
* I understand that the Bridge Cottage Surgery in Welwyn is also fully stretched to provide an adequate service to the community. This must also be addressed prior to the building of significant numbers of further houses in the area, perhaps by the provision of a surgery in Codicote.
* Private car use is already suffocating the village. Use by non village traffic would be reduced by widening of the A1(M) to 3 lanes so that drivers no longer come off at the Welwyn junction in order to travel to Hitchin via Codicote.
* The bus service in Codicote is poor and does not encourage residents to use the service for local trips to Welwyn, Welwyn Garden City, and further afield to Hitchin, Stevenage and St Albans. The majority use their cars. This habit can be changed, albeit slowly, by increasing bus frequency to at least one every 20 minutes, ideally every 10 minutes to Welwyn and WGC.

Please forward this email/comments to the appropriate authority/authorities involved in the consultation process.

Please keep me informed of developments and the outcome.