Everyone’s individual objections are important:
the more that the council receive the louder our voice is…

The public consultation for the 2020 proposal is now open with a deadline for comments from the public to be received by 1st Aug 2020. We will soon be publishing our recommended objections for you to consider, as well as template and tickbox letters to help with your response.

In 2018 NHDC received 257 written objections from members of the public, and this was a significant factor in that proposal’s rejection. Again, this time around, the more objections the better…

Submitting your objections

You can register your objections in one of three ways:

1. Online using the NHDC Planning Portal
2. By sending a formal letter to the NHDC council offices (Melissa Tyler, Planning Officer, NHDC, Council Offices, Gernon Road, Letchworth Garden City, Herts, SG6 3JF)
3. By sending a formal letter as a PDF attachment to an email to the NHDC Planning Officer in charge of the case – Melissa Tyler (melissa.tyler@north-herts.gov.uk)

We suggest registering your objections using at least 2 of these methods above. In particular, the NHDC Planning Portal is limited to a maximum of 3000 words, so this won’t work for lengthy objections.

It’s important that objection letters represent your individual perspectives so it is best to write the letter yourself – below a list of key objections you may want to consider using, and an outline letter, and a short guide on how to use the NHDC Planning Portal. If however you want to object and are short of time there is a “tickbox” letter you can submit as well. We understand particularly at the moment that we all have a lot on our minds regarding the safety of family and friends.

Every adult in your house is entitled to send their own objection, even if living at the same address, please consider doing this as one factor that the council will consider is the overall number of objections.

Guide to using the NHDC Planning Portal

If you’ve never used the online planning portal before either to comment on or submit a planning application this guide here is a step-by-step guide.

List of key objections

The key objections that were raised in the 2018 consultation are listed below. We have engaged professional support to re-evaluate these for the 2020 proposal and the output of this is expected later this month. In the meantime most of these will still apply, except for those related to the loss of the bridle path and Heath parking at the south end of Briary Lane. Of course you can decide which ones are more relevant to you, and add others, it is better if each objection letter the council receives represents your individual perspectives. Click on each item for more details:

• Not supported by the Emerging Local Plan – the proposed development site is not one of the identified development sites on either the existing or Emerging Local Plan and is outside the town boundary
• Visual Impact – the proposed development will have a significant adverse visual impact
• Access and Traffic problems – the proposed access route for the development is restricted and will put additional strain on Briary Lane and Sun Hill
• Risk to our water supply – the proposed development site sits above a groundwater supply which is at major risk of contamination if the development goes ahead
• Flood Risk – the gradient of the site could cause runoff water from the development to affect existing properties on the surrounding lower ground
• Loss of Privacy – the gradient is the site means that occupants of the new dwellings will likely overlook existing properties on the surrounding lower ground
• CPRE objection – you can reference the strong objection that has been submitted by NHDC
• Impact on Ecology – the development poses a threat to the ecology of the area especially Therfield Heath and the SSSI
• Pressure on Local Services – e.g. schools and public transport
• Water Supply and Sewage – water supply and sewage treatment capacity could be insufficient

CPRE Guide to commenting on Planning Applications

For more comprehensive guidance on the planning process, objection on applications, and how these are taken in to consideration by the council see the CPRE Guide to commenting on Planning Applications.

Remember – to ensure your views are taken in to consideration please ensure these have been sent in no later than the published deadline of 1st Aug 2020.