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

I have objections to this planning application on the following points.

There has been no transparency leading up to this application because,
1. There has been no public correspondence between inspector and NHDC on the Draft Schedule of further modifications, only NHDC’s assertion that the inspector has agreed the Schedule for Further Modification
2. The reasons for the inspector’s decision not to accept NHDC’s request to exclude BK3 from the Local plan has not been published.
3. It is unfair that that we have not had the opportunity to put our case against the inclusion of Site BK3 and we support NHDC’s request to remove BK3 from the Local Plan.

As a nation we need to conserve our food production facilities and the removal any bit of greenfield or farmland is permanent and cumulative.
For a number of other reasons also, this site in Barkway is non sustainable.

This large number of houses should not be built on BK3 as there are very few businesses in the village to provide local employment. There would be a huge increase in the number of commuters to other work locations. This is against many planning rules.
Therefore the Government requirements for sustainability cannot be met as there would be insufficient local jobs available.

Already, commuters through Barkway, Hare Street and Barley have difficulty navigating the High Streets on the B1368 and an increase would not only cause more gridlock, but also a significant increase in pollution for people living in those locations. It is most unlikely that in the next decade or so that many people will be able to afford electric cars.

The poor connections of the local bus services will necessitate more car journeys to local amenities.

Barley and Barkway schools have a valuable amenity adjacent to BK3 where Newsells Stud has given the use of an area of woodland for their Forest School. Any building next to this would be highly unpleasant experience for the children.

Being on a high point of the Chilterns, this site is also a watershed for supporting the levels of moisture in the soil for local agriculture as BK3 is a high point in our local landscape. Destroying this natural movement of water might seriously compromise the supply of ground water to Newsells Stud and farms north of Barkway.

There is no call for another school site as the villages of Barley and Barkway support both schools very well and there is already well organised transport for the two sites.

The additional number of 140 houses proposed should surely be better located in or around towns where there would be public transport, jobs and amenities. In a rural village is not a good idea.

I have objections to this planning application on the following points.

There has been no transparency leading up to this application because,
1. There has been no public correspondence between inspector and NHDC on the Draft Schedule of further modifications, only NHDC’s assertion that the inspector has agreed the Schedule for Further Modification
2. The reasons for the inspector’s decision not to accept NHDC’s request to exclude BK3 from the Local plan has not been published.
3. It is unfair that that we have not had the opportunity to put our case against the inclusion of Site BK3 and we support NHDC’s request to remove BK3 from the Local Plan.

As a nation we need to conserve our food production facilities and the removal any bit of greenfield or farmland is permanent and cumulative.
For a number of other reasons also, this site in Barkway is non sustainable.

This large number of houses should not be built on BK3 as there are very few businesses in the village to provide local employment. There would be a huge increase in the number of commuters to other work locations. This is against many planning rules.
Therefore the Government requirements for sustainability cannot be met as there would be insufficient local jobs available.

Already, commuters through Barkway, Hare Street and Barley have difficulty navigating the High Streets on the B1368 and an increase would not only cause more gridlock, but also a significant increase in pollution for people living in those locations. It is most unlikely that in the next decade or so that many people will be able to afford electric cars.

The poor connections of the local bus services will necessitate more car journeys to local amenities.

Barley and Barkway schools have a valuable amenity adjacent to BK3 where Newsells Stud has given the use of an area of woodland for their Forest School. Any building next to this would be highly unpleasant experience for the children.

Being on a high point of the Chilterns, this site is also a watershed for supporting the levels of moisture in the soil for local agriculture as BK3 is a high point in our local landscape. Destroying this natural movement of water might seriously compromise the supply of ground water to Newsells Stud and farms north of Barkway.

There is no call for another school site as the villages of Barley and Barkway support both schools very well and there is already well organised transport for the two sites.

The additional number of 140 houses proposed should surely be better located in or around towns where there would be public transport, jobs and amenities. In a rural village is not a good idea.