Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

I am writing to express my concerns about the 900 dwellings planned for Letchworth.
I am concerned about the soundness of the plan. Letchworth is the template and original Garden City, and I believe the Green Belt is an integral part of that. The plan is in conflict with the national Green Belt policy (section 9 of the NPPF).
I do not believe that there is justification for this excessive target, and think wherever possible dwellings should be built on brown field sites first. Currently this is not the case and doesn't take properly into account the Green Belt constraints. Destruction of the green belt will also have a massive impact on local flora and fauna, much of which is already compromised.

As well as the impact of this particular part, the cumulative effect of all the local building work will lead to many villages merging into one another, and even less countryside being left. These plans will have a majorly detrimental effect on local facilities. It is already almost impossible to get a place at a Dr surgery, and some are already turning people away, those still accepting people have a long waiting time to see anyone. Local schools are over subscribed, and we already have 3 secondary that are consulting on increasing their intake, based on current levels. Roads are often queueing, and the A1 is often queued back to Baldock Road, and at a standstill when you actually reach it.

I am born and bred in Letchworth, and would hate to see an already strained town, put under even more stress. I feel these dwellings would destroy Letchworth as it is now, and was planned to be.

I am writing to express my concerns about the 900 dwellings planned for Letchworth.
I am concerned about the soundness of the plan. Letchworth is the template and original Garden City, and I believe the Green Belt is an integral part of that. The plan is in conflict with the national Green Belt policy (section 9 of the NPPF).
I do not believe that there is justification for this excessive target, and think wherever possible dwellings should be built on brown field sites first. Currently this is not the case and doesn't take properly into account the Green Belt constraints. Destruction of the green belt will also have a massive impact on local flora and fauna, much of which is already compromised.

As well as the impact of this particular part, the cumulative effect of all the local building work will lead to many villages merging into one another, and even less countryside being left. These plans will have a majorly detrimental effect on local facilities. It is already almost impossible to get a place at a Dr surgery, and some are already turning people away, those still accepting people have a long waiting time to see anyone. Local schools are over subscribed, and we already have 3 secondary that are consulting on increasing their intake, based on current levels. Roads are often queueing, and the A1 is often queued back to Baldock Road, and at a standstill when you actually reach it.

I am born and bred in Letchworth, and would hate to see an already strained town, put under even more stress. I feel these dwellings would destroy Letchworth as it is now, and was planned to be.