Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

Development of site NS1 will cause harm to the setting, and significance, of Chesfield Park. This is a historic designed landscape of Local Importance. Light pollution, noise and visual intrusion from housing developments will all adversely affect the park. This does therefore not comply with paragraph 7 'environmental role' of the NPPF definition of sustainability

Garden City principles as first implemented at Letchworth GC include a surrounding belt of countryside to prevent urban sprawl and coalescence. This principle is re-inforced in Section 9 of the NPPF. Development at site HT1 will diminish the extent of the green belt around Letchworth (as noted in the Policy SP17) .The green belt is not only part of the setting of the heritage asset that is our first garden city but also part of that heritage asset. Development here will cause harm to the significance of Letchworth and its garden city status.

EL1, EL2 and EL3 causes substantial harm to the green belt and the setting of communities at Mangrove Green, Tea Green and Cokernhoe. The expansion of the urban sprawl of Luton and the coalescence of these individual settlements is contrary to Section 9 of the NPPF.
Further, development on this high ground to the southeast of Putteridge Bury Park will cause significant harm to the setting and significance of the Registered park through light pollution and noise. as mitigation is not possible. This is contrary to the principles of Section 12 of the NPPF and NHDC Policies HE1 and SP13

Although HGT supports this policy we do note that it applies only to buildings of local character and distinctiveness. There are many historic designed landscapes (not on the national Register) in the NH area which also do this. [HGT is able to assist as in para 4.164 as required with identification]

HGT supports the Policy but notes that in section 4.163, locally important parks can also play a significant role in green infrastructure

HGT will assist NHDC in identifying any locally important historic designed landscapes at risk, as required

GA1, GA2, NS1 will promote the urban sprawl of Stevenage and coalescence of Stevenage, Great Ashby and Graveley.
HT1 and LG1 are contrary to the principles of garden cities where the idea of a green belt to protect the garden city were first applied at Letchworth
EL1, EL 2 and EL3 promote coalescence of discrete settlements at Mangrove Green and Cokernhoe with the urban sprawl of Luton

This is contrary to Section 9 of NPPF ,and also affects settings of parks at Putteridge Bury, Chesfield Park and Letchworth Garden City itself contrary to Section 12 of NPPF