The following application has been submitted to Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) and is under public consultation until 23rd July 2021 . Full details including the planning application documents and plans can be found on the CBC website).
CB/21/02757/OUT, Land adj. 70 Hanscombe End Road, Shillington, Hitchin, SG5 3NB
Outline Application: Development of up to 72 houses to include up to 35 self build, custom build and/or small/medium sized enterprise units with all matters reserved except access.
Shillington Parish Council voted to object to this application at its meeting on 13th July 2021. Some of the reasons for objection identified by the Parish Council are:
1) Increased Traffic Volumes and Road Safety Concerns
The proposed development will result in additional vehicle numbers and traffic volumes on an already busy stretch of road. The local SpeedWatch team regularly monitor the speed of vehicles on Hanscombe End Road and have identified that many through vehicles travel at speeds in excess of the speed limit.
2) The development is not sustainable
The development is some distance from village facilities and amenities and therefore, the majority of people will travel by car. The shortest route to the village school is along a road of national speed limit which has no footpath. The nearest GP facilities to Shillington require a car journey as bus services from Shillington are limited and infrequent.
3) Increased demands on already stretched local infrastructure services
There are concerns about whether the local GP surgeries, school, watercourse, drainage system and sewage treatment works can cope with the demands placed by another 72 houses and the associated resident numbers.
4) The proposed development is not necessary for housing need
Central Bedfordshire Council’s Local Plan is now nearing final approval. The small to medium site allocations within the Local Plan have been selected to try to ensure that appropriately sized, sustainable development is allowed where there are the adequate facilities and infrastructure available locally to ensure that the impacts on settlements, facilities and infrastructure are limited. There is already a site allocation within the Plan for Shillington (as well as allocations in the nearby settlements). The proposed development is therefore not required to meet the local housing need.
The public consultation for this application closes on 23rd July 2021 and you can respond in the following ways:
- Using Central Bedfordshire Council’s online form.
- By email to planning.online@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk quoting reference CB/21/02757/OUT
- By post – FAO: Peter Vosper – Senior Planning Officer, Central Bedfordshire Council, Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5TQ