Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

I make this response on behalf of the Pirton Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group.
We have worked closely with the NHDC Planning Policy Team in the development of our draft Neighbourhood Plan to ensure that the Pirton Neighbourhood Plan is in general conformity with the current planning policies and also that it will be in general conformity with the strategic policies of the Proposed Local Plan. We therefore confirm that in our opinion the Proposed Local Plan has been positively prepared, is justified, effective and consistent with National Policy.
The District must plan for significant new housing development to 2031. The process of developing the Pirton Neighbourhood Plan has meant that the Pirton Community. has given considerable thought to housing development here, both in terms of numbers, and but also in terms of type and design. At the time of the Parish Plan in 2013, 36% of the community wanted no further development for the village. Now, the community will support an increase of a minimum of 17% in our housing stock over the period of the proposed Local Plan- provided it is of the type, density and design that the community consultation process of Neighbourhood Planning has identified, and provided applications for planning permission respect our policies in relation to matters such as traffic and transport safety, heritage, biodiversity, and green space. We urge the NHDC to give greater encouragement and support to Neighbourhood Planning as a tool to assist effective implementation and to set itself targets in relation to Neighbourhood Planning in policy SP1.
Traffic levels, and improvements to the infrastructure of our roads, as well as improvements to public transport, will be very important. The amount of planned housing development will make great demands on the road and public transport networks. This must be addressed as a priority if North Herts is not to grind to a halt, or the health and well-being benefits of living in a district full of beautiful countryside are not to be eroded. These are issues of considerable importance to the community of Pirton as reflected in the consultations held during the development of the Neighbourhood Plan for Pirton.

I make this response on behalf of the Pirton Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group.
We have worked closely with the NHDC Planning Policy Team in the development of our draft Neighbourhood Plan to ensure that the Pirton Neighbourhood Plan is in general conformity with the current planning policies and also that it will be in general conformity with the strategic policies of the Proposed Local Plan. We therefore confirm that in our opinion the Proposed Local Plan has been positively prepared, is justified, effective and consistent with National Policy.
The District must plan for significant new housing development to 2031. The process of developing the Pirton Neighbourhood Plan has meant that the Pirton Community. has given considerable thought to housing development here, both in terms of numbers, and but also in terms of type and design. At the time of the Parish Plan in 2013, 36% of the community wanted no further development for the village. Now, the community will support an increase of a minimum of 17% in our housing stock over the period of the proposed Local Plan- provided it is of the type, density and design that the community consultation process of Neighbourhood Planning has identified, and provided applications for planning permission respect our policies in relation to matters such as traffic and transport safety, heritage, biodiversity, and green space. We urge the NHDC to give greater encouragement and support to Neighbourhood Planning as a tool to assist effective implementation and to set itself targets in relation to Neighbourhood Planning in policy SP1.
Traffic levels, and improvements to the infrastructure of our roads, as well as improvements to public transport, will be very important. The amount of planned housing development will make great demands on the road and public transport networks. This must be addressed as a priority if North Herts is not to grind to a halt, or the health and well-being benefits of living in a district full of beautiful countryside are not to be eroded. These are issues of considerable importance to the community of Pirton as reflected in the consultations held during the development of the Neighbourhood Plan for Pirton.