NHDC are proposing Hitchin’s largest housing development of 484 homes on precious greenbelt land at Highover Farm – the impact would be huge!

We urge North Hertfordshire District Council to remove Highover Farm (HT1) from the list of allocated sites for development in Hitchin.

Some of our objections to the proposed site (HT1/39):

Greenbelt is precious and should not be developed – building on this site contravenes its protected status and this precedence must not be set. Greenbelt areas are important to prevent urban sprawl, stop towns from merging, protect the countryside and promote urban regeneration. This site is also Grade 2 Agricultural Greenfield land and this is the last working historic farm in Walsworth.

Flooding is on the increase in the UK. The water run-off from this hill could cause disastrous problems for the drainage system and river which would not be able to cope, leading to flooding at low lying areas.

Schools are already at capacity in the area and with the recent closure of the Sailor Pub and the imminent threat to Walsworth Community Centre there is little in the immediate local area to support such a population increase, therefore use of cars would be the only option for many.

Traffic increase would be unmanageable, with the nearest major junctions already at near capacity. The nearest homes in the site would be nearly 1 mile from the town centre, leading to more car use and parking problems. There will be an estimated 630 additional cars on the local roads. Trains into London are also already overcrowded and will likely be unable to cope with the increase in demand.

There is already major traffic congestion on Cambridge Road at the Walsworth crossroads during rush hour creating high levels of air pollution. This will be exacerbated by the additional traffic this development would bring. The loss of this area of beautiful countryside is also deplorable and will have an impact on the existing wildlife.

Please show your support by signing the petition to save our precious Greenbelt and protect Hitchin from such a massive population increase.