Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

Myself and my partner Darren Milligan strongly object to the building of 1000 houses on green belt land to the north of the Grange estate in Letchworth. Letchworth, the world's first garden city was designed with a green/agricultural belt, to allow residents access to the countryside and to keep Letchworth separate from surrounding towns and villages. The proposed development will leave just ONE field between the development and Stotfold.

Our objections are:

-We believe that building on Letchworth's green belt is wrong in principle. Once the precedent is set the green belt around other parts of Letchworth will be under threat from development.
-The area for development has part of the Letchworth greenway on it, this 13.6 mile circular path was created in 2003 to mark Letchworth's centenary. It cost £1 million and walkers, runners and cyclists alike enjoy using it all year round. There is lots of wildlife on the greenway and losing it would be a great loss to many.
-We don't think that building on green belt land will address local housing needs. Only a fraction of the housing will be 'affordable' housing for rent and its likely that two thirds of the housing for sale will be bought by buy to let investors.
-There will be significant additional traffic in the town with increased congestion, and pressure on already limited parking for commuters, residents and wider users of the town.
-Schools are an issue, Letchworth has lost 2 secondary schools and 2 primary schools in the last 20 or so years. Housing developments have been built on the land of 3 of the 4 schools that have closed down, surely more houses means more children who need a school place? I cannot believe that 2 secondary schools is enough for all the children of Letchworth. Building 1000 more houses would surely stretch the 2 remaining secondary schools beyond their limit.