Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

I wish to register my opposition to building on the LG1 and LG3 sites in Letchworth as part of the council's local plan.

I believe that the number of proposed dwellings (especially in LG1) would have an extremely detrimental effect on the local area and on Letchworth Garden City as a whole. Building on Green Belt is unacceptable as it flies in the face of Ebeneezer Howard's principals for a Garden City and current government advice.

There are a number of brownfield sites around the town that should be redeveloped and used in place of this valuable countryside. The Green Belt and Greenway are the jewel in Letchworth's crown and should be protected rather than destroyed.

In addition, the proposed development would take Letchworth to within a few metres of the border with Bedfordshire (LG1) and potentially merge the town with Stotfold, which is also currently expanding at a rapid rate. LG3 also sees Letchworth move even closer to Baldock, with only the A1 and a field dividing the two towns.

The local road network is already extremely congested during peak hours, especially the junction of Norton Way and Green Lane and these developments would only serve to exacerbate this situation. The COTTEE report that was commissioned by the Heritage Foundation states that
1. "Letchworth town centre is about 3km walk (40 mins) which, although outside standard walking distances, is not unreasonable as a walk to work for an adult or college student."

This clearly implies that most residents in the new developments will travel by car to the town centre or station as LG1 will be "outside standard walking distances". LG3 will also be around this distance from the station and the town centre with Talbot Way being 2.6km from the station.
There is also no provision in the plan for any more school places or access to health care. Existing services are already being stretched- how will local services provide for this substantial growth in the local population? Are there sufficient school places for the expected number of children or will we see families forced to travel further afield to access schools or hastily erected temporary classrooms?
I would urge North Herts council to protect Letchworth, the world's first garden city, and to consider alternatives such as a new Garden City, which is an option supported by local MPs, Stephen MacPartland, Sir Oliver Heald and Peter Lilley. (http://www.thecomet.net/news/mps_back_new_garden_city_as_alternative_to_council_s_north_herts_housing_blueprint_1_3936165)
The role of the council is to represent the people. Please listen to the opinions of the people you represent. Once the Green Belt has been built over, it is lost forever. Please do not remove the "green lungs" and also the heart of the Garden City.

I wish to register my opposition to building on the LG1 and LG3 sites in Letchworth as part of the council's local plan.

I believe that the number of proposed dwellings (especially in LG1) would have an extremely detrimental effect on the local area and on Letchworth Garden City as a whole. Building on Green Belt is unacceptable as it flies in the face of Ebeneezer Howard's principals for a Garden City and current government advice.

There are a number of brownfield sites around the town that should be redeveloped and used in place of this valuable countryside. The Green Belt and Greenway are the jewel in Letchworth's crown and should be protected rather than destroyed.

In addition, the proposed development would take Letchworth to within a few metres of the border with Bedfordshire (LG1) and potentially merge the town with Stotfold, which is also currently expanding at a rapid rate. LG3 also sees Letchworth move even closer to Baldock, with only the A1 and a field dividing the two towns.

The local road network is already extremely congested during peak hours, especially the junction of Norton Way and Green Lane and these developments would only serve to exacerbate this situation. The COTTEE report that was commissioned by the Heritage Foundation states that
1. "Letchworth town centre is about 3km walk (40 mins) which, although outside standard walking distances, is not unreasonable as a walk to work for an adult or college student."

This clearly implies that most residents in the new developments will travel by car to the town centre or station as LG1 will be "outside standard walking distances". LG3 will also be around this distance from the station and the town centre with Talbot Way being 2.6km from the station.
There is also no provision in the plan for any more school places or access to health care. Existing services are already being stretched- how will local services provide for this substantial growth in the local population? Are there sufficient school places for the expected number of children or will we see families forced to travel further afield to access schools or hastily erected temporary classrooms?
I would urge North Herts council to protect Letchworth, the world's first garden city, and to consider alternatives such as a new Garden City, which is an option supported by local MPs, Stephen MacPartland, Sir Oliver Heald and Peter Lilley. (http://www.thecomet.net/news/mps_back_new_garden_city_as_alternative_to_council_s_north_herts_housing_blueprint_1_3936165)
The role of the council is to represent the people. Please listen to the opinions of the people you represent. Once the Green Belt has been built over, it is lost forever. Please do not remove the "green lungs" and also the heart of the Garden City.