Major Planning Issue
North Herts District Council have recently identified additional housing development sites for consultation and potential inclusion in their Local Development Framework – Land Allocations document and there is one very significant site identified for Pirton. I will give links to the respective areas for information on the NHDC and Pirton websites below, but I will try to identify and summarise the site and issues first.
This is the land identified: (Double click to enlarge)
As you can see it is the substantial area of agricultural land between Shillington Road, Priors Hill and Danefield. These are the pertinent points that I have thought of (quickly) which you may wish to consider and add to?:
- The land is currently outside the village boundary and many assurances have been given in the past that this protects such land from development.
- The inclusion of this land is being promoted by Court Homes (Barker Parry).
- It lies immediately beyond the area previously designated as V2 land – land of visual impact intended as transition between built area and countryside *1
- It is 7.32 hectares, which I estimate represents an increase of about 20% of the current built area of Pirton.
- Such an increase in a short to medium timeframe would have dramatic impact on the nature and character of Pirton.
- There is a perceived housing shortage.
- There is significant pressure from Government to identify and build on available land to meet housing needs and affordable housing.
- It could perhaps contain affordable housing - however such housing tends to remain affordable only until the second sale.
- If this land is developed then it would seem to be impossible to argue against the development of the land immediately to the east (between the school, and rear of properties on the High Street and Shillington Road – also see 3 above. *1
- This is worse than a planning application, if this land is allocated for development then it will be!
*1 – Please note that I must declare and interest as I live adjacent to this land - Jonty Wild.
You only have until the 14th of September 2009 to make representations for or against this proposal.
Documents attached include the letter from NHDC, details of Pirton site and the associated introduction.
Representations can be made via:
Email:
ldfconsultations@north-herts.gov.uk
Letter: North Hertfordshire District Council, LDF Team, Council Offices, Gernon
Road, Letchworth Garden City, Herts. SG6 3JF
Online:
http://www.north-herts.gov.uk/dpdataonline/webpages/aconetcgi.gov
It may be worth keeping the Parish Council informed of your views and actions, that can be done via:
Parish Clerk:
parishclerk@pirtonparishcouncil.org
Pirton Parish Council Clerk - Jennifer Smart, 24 Royal Oak Lane - telephone
01462 712566
The Pirton website would also be interested in your comments on the summary above and any representations made. Please state if you do not wish these to be included on the website and if you do whether you would prefer you name not to be included. jontywild@pirton.org.uk.
The useful links you may wish to follow are below, but to be actively kept informed make sure that you are on the Pirton website email circulation list by emailing emaillist@pirton.org.uk – tell your friends and neighbours.
North Herts District Council (Double click on the links below):
Land Allocations:
http://www.north-herts.gov.uk/index/environment_and_planning/planning/local_development_framework/land_allocations/land_allocations_additional_suggested_sites.htm
Local Development Framework Background and Documents:
http://www.north-herts.gov.uk/index/planning/local_development_framework.htm
Land Allocations Additional Suggested Sites Documents and
Link for Online Consultation:
http://www.north-herts.gov.uk/index/environment_and_planning/planning/local_development_framework/land_allocations/land_allocations_additional_suggested_sites.htm
| Letter from NHDC | Introduction to Local Development Framework | Proposal for Pirton |