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

I am a resident of Preston and I am writing to raise some objections to the proposals under consideration by housing developer Osprey Homes affecting the field off Back Lane, Preston, Herts - Castlefield.

• I fail to see how the current infrastructure in Preston will be able to cope with such a development. The building project projected to take over 18 months creating 20+ homes will have a huge and terribly overbearing impact on the village and particularly the Chequers Lane community; the geography of which is tight and serviced only by narrow lane access.

• Chequers Lane is as stated a narrow village lane and will not be able to cope with construction traffic. It's barely wide enough to fit the dustbin lorry and has several blind driveways and cars parked along the road particularly in the lower end of the lane.

• The lane is also used by children walking to and from the local village school and indeed going home from the bus drop off from schools in and around Hitchin. This in my mind presents a very dangerous situation. Surely safety must be a primary concern.

• This will lead to the removal of hedgerows, lane widening and general alteration to the village that we have and enjoy at the moment.

• I understand a traffic measure was taken but this was during a period of lockdown as no surprise that readings were low.

• I fail to see how a development of this size is adequately serviced by just one route in and one route out - Chequers Lane. The congestion faced by the residents of Chequers Lane (and surrounding lanes) will be enormous.

• There are many elderly residents in the locale to Castlefield (my parents included) who's lives will be dramatically affected by this development as it stands. Their quality of life, peace and safety will in my mind be undoubtedly compromised. The routes into Preston from Stevenage, Luton and from Hitchin are also very narrow; often with only limited spaces to pass.

• At the bottom of Chequers Lane is a house called The Chequers. A listed building. Construction traffic would have to turn into the lane round a very tight corner in front of The Chequers and will no doubt mean damage to the fences and walls of this property. This house is lived in by my parents and where I grew up. Deliveries of building supplies will start early and throughout the day with no doubt umpteen trucks air-braking etc in front of this house. It will be terrible for a elderly couple in their mid-80's.

• The proposed homes by Osprey Homes to my mind are not in keeping with the village as it stands - known for its architectural standards and heritage.

• The proposal of 20+ houses is a huge undertaking for such a fragile environment. Preston should be allowed to develop slowly and considerately - which the Osprey Homes proposal is not. It smacks of over-development with little consideration for residents' lives as they are at the moment, the local environment, safety and general quality of life.

• There are presumably many better local locations as alternatives to a development of this size and magnitude - all with better access and an infrastructure able to cope and have far less impact to the quality of life.

• Castle Farm situated at the top of Chequers Lane utilises Chequers Lane and indeed Back Lane to run their business and has done so for several generations. Again, the increase in construction traffic will present a major issue to their business and operation.

• The Osprey Homes questionnaire as seen on their website isn't fit for purpose. Yes/No answers are pointless and only serve to make the proposals sound positive. Most residents would agree to some development in the village at times, done for with care, consideration and over a longer time period. The answers one is forced to give do not give suitable consideration to the issues.

I would appreciate it if these points are taken into consideration please - as well as all other submissions from worried local residents around this damaging proposal to our way of life in Preston.