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

Speaking on behalf of the 4,784 supporters of Save Hitchin Green Belt (as at June 24rd), as proposed by the Government Inspector, we are commenting on the Examination Document ED172:
We entirely agree with the Inspectors comments about how the Green Belt review has affected site selection or to use his words “Put simply, I cannot see how the conclusions of the Green Belt review exercise have informed the selection of sites.”
We wish to place on record that we believe the whole Green Belt review process and site selection is badly flawed and sites have been classified incorrectly in terms of their contribution. Sites have also been selected that cause the MOST environmental and ecological damage. Rather than looking for sites that would cause less harm and impact to the environment, pollution and quality of life for Hitchin residents and suggesting to landowners other possibilities, sites have just been proposed by landowners based on profitability. Sites HT3, HT5 & HT6 provide a “Considerable” contribution to the Green Belt. These green open spaces form a wildlife corridor that is essential for the ecological balance of West Hitchin (bats, badgers, deer, foxes, owls, etc all live & feed here and most important insects & pollinators that start the lifecycle process). They are the last remaining uncultivated fields in West Hitchin. Woodland bordering the Sites will also be destroyed and Site HT6 is also on a ridge and will be visible for miles.
In addition, the changing economic climate has changed the demographics for housing needs. New urban developments are coming available in Hitchin as shops and offices are converted to dwellings. Plus other developments such as the North Herts College, all means that there is NO NEED TO DESTROY GREEN BELT & cause so much environmental damage. Plus of course, the latest ONS Statistics reveal housing needs for North Herts has reduced so not so many houses are needed.
Finally, we believe the Governments latest position is NOT TO BUILD ON GREEN BELT, as per a public announcement: “Prime Minister Johnson on Friday stressed that there has been a “misunderstanding” about the reforms, insisting the government would not build on green belt land. “What we want is sensible plans to allow development on brownfield sites,” he said. “We’re not going to build on green belt sites, we’re not going to build all over the countryside.”

Please see our full Petition, which we now present, at https://www.change.org/p/save-hitchin-green-belt