Further Proposed Modifications to the North Hertfordshire Local Plan 2011- 2031

I am writing to object to the proposed housing development by Osprey homes in Preston SG4 for the following reasons.

1. The Neighbourhood plan states that
Objective H1: To ensure that any development is sensitively planned and phased over the period of the Plan, protecting and enriching the landscape and built setting. The plans submitted show 23 tightly packed houses which show no resemblance to houses in the village. The introduction of such a site would be an eyesore and not enrich the setting of the village.
2. Objective H4: To support developments which have a low carbon footprint and are eco-friendly. The builders are intending to use as boilers which do not suggest a low carbon footprint or eco friendly.
3. Objective H7: To seek to ensure that the impact of new development on sewage, surface water drainage and water pressure is assessed and that infrastructure, services and utilities to existing houses are improved or at least not exacerbated. To also ensure that new developments do not create flood risk and problems with the sewerage system and surface water drainage, while at the same time ensuring that any existing problems are not exacerbated. Living near Castlefield, there is already a strong smell of sewerage after heavy rainfall, and the roads around the village are in constant repair from busts watermains due to ancient pipes and increased traffic.
4. Objective H9: To seek to ensure any new housing scheme or infill development is of an appropriate scale and maintains or enhances the character of the village.
see note 1. Preston is a small village of just 182 houses, and extra 23 represents over 10% of the total house count in a very small acreage. The development would not be in scale of the village and would certainly not enhance or even maintain the character of the village.
5. Transport and Communication Objective T1: To support and encourage safe and sustainable transport, including walking and cycling.
Objective T2: To support and encourage safe use of roads, paths and bridleways for all users: walkers, joggers, cyclists and horse riders, as well as being safe for motorised vehicles. Objective T3: To support the development of efficient and effective broadband speed and mobile coverage throughout the parish, while maintaining a good landline service, meeting the domestic, social and business needs of the community. Children walking to the bus stop for school down Chequers Lane on dark mornings and evenings would have their safety jeopardized by the additional cars ( 59 car parking spaces allocated for the development and around 15 garages )using the road when the children are walking on the road (there are no foot paths on Chequers Lane) at peak times of traffic movement (particularly the morning around 8am). Dog walkers, cyclists and ramblers would also experience increased risk of accidents. The verges would most certainly suffer with traffic trying to pass each other (Chequers Lane and Butchers Lane are single lanes). Many villagers work from home where broadband is a necessity. The BT box on Chequers Lane is already damaged frequently by turning dustcarts.

I understand that our village has to help the housing crisis which we are suffering from, I do not see how the proposed development will fit into the neighbourhood plan and would suggest fewer houses resulting in less of an impact on it. The impending closure of Princess Helena school and the use of the land must be considered before a much loved, needed and used (prior to it being closed off by the council) green space is concreted over.