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

I wish to comment on Examination Documents ED178 and ED191B, specifically in the context of Preston village. I note that in ED191B, ref PR1 off Butchers Lane in Preston, 1.1 ha in size, is identified as a site for 21 houses. NHDC should be aware that the potential developers, Osprey Homes are currently consulting with a plan that has 23 homes on this same site https://chilternview.uk/proposed-new-homes/. No explanation is given as to why they are exceeding the number given in the Local Plan or ED191B, although it is obviously in excess of the number proposed by NHDC. Irrespective of that, I strongly object to the development of the PR1 in Preston, on the grounds that the land is unsuitable (prone to flooding) and the development will have multiple deleterious impacts ion the village (dark skies, rural environment), infrastructure and services (sewage, water, broadband) as well as increased traffic and associated air pollution. I note the NHDC recently approved planning for three (3) houses on a similar sized plot on Back Lane in Preston, setting a clear precedent for the density of new housing in Preston. For that reason alone, the number of houses proposed on the PR1 site should be reduced to between 3 and 4 (using this example set by NHDC Planning Control).

I wish to also comment on the document entitled “Schedule of Further Proposed Modifications to the North Hertfordshire Local Plan 2011-2031" - I note that the housing allocation for Preston has been increased from 38 to 50, although the number of houses already built meets the original target set in the LP. I do not understand why these numbers have been changed (increased) and I object to this increase as it was clearly not part of the process that went into the Local Plan.

I also note that NHDC Updated 5 Year Housing Land Supply Paper ED178 and Appendix 1: NHDC 5 year housing land supply at 1 April 2020 ED191B both fail to acknowledge the impact of the UK’s exit from the EU, in terms of economic uncertainty. Given that these new consultation documents appropriately recognise the extreme uncertainty that has been generated by the Covid19 pandemic, it is surprising that the economic uncertainties which already manifest themselves in e.g. the construction industry are not acknowledged as well. This is not a political point, but a simple reflection of yet another variable which makes predicting demand and housing needs even more difficult. As acknowledged in ED170, NHDC has relied on ad hoc input from developers and associated stakeholders, but it is questionable if their judgement is not conflicted and would clearly be seen through their own financial lens. Ultimately the future is unknown, and the housing needs of North Herts can most likely be sufficiently met by larger developments associated with pre-existing towns and infrastructures.