Warning over development proposals

According to latest article by http://www.thecomet.net/

A resident has warned that people should be more aware of areas highlighted for possible future development.

Charlotte Jerrand came across a land allocation document on North Herts District Council's website last week when the consultation was launched. She hadn't realised land near her road may be affected.

Mrs Jerrand, of Bygrave Road, Baldock, said: "At the moment it's Green Belt land but I don't think that's being treated as much of a problem.

"The need for housing is seen as significant enough to override the Green Belt."

She added: "My concern is residents need to know it's there to submit their views. At the moment I have got an open mind. I can see there is a real need for housing, but I think if it's going to go ahead we need the council to take into account hospitals, transport, etc.

"My concern at the moment is that I'd like to know more about it and there should be an effort made by the council to raise awareness of the issue."

The plan that Ms Jerrand is concerned with includes land surrounding Bygrave Road, land near Clothall Common and land off Clothall Road, all in Baldock.

However, consultation on pinpointed land will go on all across North Herts in a separate move to the SNAP consultation which has also allocated land as part of the East of England plan.

North Herts District Council (NHDC) has said the land allocation document includes a number of sites which are all under consultation.

A spokesman said: "There are no decisions as to what will definitely happen, we are asking for the public's views and these will be used to inform the next 'preferred option'."

The document states: "The final land allocations document will specify sites to meet the district's needs for housing, employment, retail, leisure, community facilities and any other uses considered necessary.

"At this first stage, more sites are identified than are likely to be required and the inclusion of sites in this document is not an indication that the council will ultimately wish to see the site developed.

"The results of this consultation and any other evidence which emerges will be used to determine which sites are taken forward to the second, preferred options, stage."

Baldock councillor Michael Muir said: "It's all consultation. Nothing is cut and dried."

He added: "We've had to do this for the whole of North Herts because the Government says we've got to do it.

"We've got to find 16,800 homes in North Herts so we've got to find a place to put them."

Councillor Richard Thake, spokesman for planning and transport, said: "We would be happy to receive comments from as many of our residents or interested parties as possible to ensure that the needs of all our communities can be considered. "People are encouraged to comment either on-line using the link at the top of the NHDC home page, by e-mail to idfconsultations@ north-herts.gov.uk or by post at Land Allocations Consultation, Planning Policy & Projects, North Hertfordshire District Council, Council Offices, Gernon Road, Letchworth Garden City, Hertford-shire, SG6 3JF."

The consultation documents are also available to view in all public libraries in North Herts and at the Letchworth GC Council offices.