Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

As a resident of Codicote [...], I should like the following comments to be taken into account before a decision is taken on the Local Plan:-
1)An increase of approximately 25% on the existing stock could only be accommodated with significant infrastructure improvements. Every single unit constructed would have to contribute to the community infrastructure levy, 'CIL', ( not avoid it on the basis of small incremental developments), and the funds collected invested in the obvious need for upgrading local schools, hospitals , Doctors, water and power supplies roads parking drainage lighting and other services, whilst preserving the rural character of the village
2)Traffic congestion caused at peak times in the Codicote High Street, exacerbated by the designation of the Codicote Road as an effective 'bypass' for the A1 M ,would be intolerable, with additional vehicles servicing more dwellings , driving the obvious need for a Codicote by pass that would need to be funded by developers ( through the CIL).
3)The Codicote Garden Centre enjoys a clear visibility access onto the road to Hitchin whereas the Codicote sports field, and Community Centre do not ( their access is dangerously near a blind bend opposite the Church) The opportunity should be taken , in any development of the Garden Centre site, to ensure that the sports facilities can enjoy vehicular road access and egress onto the Hitchin Road. The new houses will have young people that will want to use the present facilities putting pressure on those, so the CIL should also require funding for improvements and expansion.
4)No developments should be permitted without a clear and enforceable plan to fund through CIL charges applied for the purpose, the improvement of all facilities that will be put under strain , directly or indirectly ..
Failure at the point of planning decisions to reflect on , and deal with these issues and failure to extract and apply CIL funds as required will only compound future problems that will surely reverberate around the Council offices! Granting the necessity for expansion , the same has to be sensitively and intelligently managed , not dealt with in a piecemeal fashion.