Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

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

I believe that the number of proposed dwellings 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. It seems very odd to destroy the key principals the first gardens city whilst the government plans to build new garden cities.

Both the LG1 and LG3 sites risk merging Letchworth with stotfold and Baldock respectively, LG1 will expand Letchworth to within 50m of the Bedfordshire border. Any proposed sites should avoid urban sprawl and therefore I believe that this is unacceptable.

Both sites (particularly LG1 ) will greatly increase the traffic in the area and therefore increase the amount of pollution in the area as well. Many of the roads in especially Norton road and Green lane are already at capacity during peak times.The proposed sites are about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) away from Letchworth Rail Station. As acknowledged in the COTTEE report this is outside of expected walking distances hence additional traffic will add to congestion suffered at peak times. The station also has no infrastructure to cope with the likely increase in cars.

With the infrastructure of the town as a whole it lacks the doctors and schools to support the developments and there is no mention of how this will be addressed within the plans.

The LG3 site it proposed to be built right next to the newly discovered Bronze Age Henge, a site of national significance this should be celebrated and enjoyed rather than surrounding it with houses.

There are many brownfield sites within north Hertfordshire which though may not be as profitable should be built on first. If further housing is required then proposals suggested by our local MPs should be pursued and a new garden city established this would enhance Letchworth legacy rather than the current plans which would destroy it.

I hope you take these objections seriously.

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

I believe that the number of proposed dwellings 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. It seems very odd to destroy the key principals the first gardens city whilst the government plans to build new garden cities.

Both the LG1 and LG3 sites risk merging Letchworth with stotfold and Baldock respectively, LG1 will expand Letchworth to within 50m of the Bedfordshire border. Any proposed sites should avoid urban sprawl and therefore I believe that this is unacceptable.

Both sites (particularly LG1 ) will greatly increase the traffic in the area and therefore increase the amount of pollution in the area as well. Many of the roads in especially Norton road and Green lane are already at capacity during peak times.The proposed sites are about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) away from Letchworth Rail Station. As acknowledged in the COTTEE report this is outside of expected walking distances hence additional traffic will add to congestion suffered at peak times. The station also has no infrastructure to cope with the likely increase in cars.

With the infrastructure of the town as a whole it lacks the doctors and schools to support the developments and there is no mention of how this will be addressed within the plans.

The LG3 site it proposed to be built right next to the newly discovered Bronze Age Henge, a site of national significance this should be celebrated and enjoyed rather than surrounding it with houses.

There are many brownfield sites within north Hertfordshire which though may not be as profitable should be built on first. If further housing is required then proposals suggested by our local MPs should be pursued and a new garden city established this would enhance Letchworth legacy rather than the current plans which would destroy it.

I hope you take these objections seriously.