19/09/2024
There are so many reasons to object to the proposed Barnet Road/Baker Street development. Here are just a few (let's get as many objections in before the deadline date of 8 October). PLEASE email [email protected]
I object to the proposed development 24/1101/OUTEI on the Hertfordshire Green Belt, on all the arable land between Baker Street and the A1000.
1. Severe traffic congestion along Baker Street, A1000 and associated roads would cause constant gridlock, a huge increase of air pollution, and be detrimental to our health and the
environment. This is particularly worrying, as this is the walk to school for the pupils of Pope Paul Catholic Primary School and Dame Alice Owen’s School. The distance of the site from
the station and shops contravenes more council policies ( Hertsmere Local Plan 2024 strategic objectives 1, 12 and 15), which aim to reduce, not create more traffic: Baker Street
is already frequently gridlocked, especially in rush hour. The distance from the nearest part of the proposed site to Potters Bar Station is 0.6 miles, which is further than most people are
prepared to walk.
2. Flooding: Concreting over the Green Belt will cause run-off water floods to properties on Oakroyd Avenue, Elmroyd Avenue and surroundings roads. Since the last Hertsmere local plan in 2021 there has been frequent flooding in Oakroyd Avenue. A letter from the council of 18th June 2024 addressed this issue and proposed that the local land owner would clear the drainage ditches along the edge of the field and plant a border of water absorbing planting to mitigate that. Neither of those things has happened. The serious flooding of recent times is without the fields being concreted over, which will only exacerbate that.
3. Democractic process: The Council’s Local Plan of 2021 has already been superceded by the Local Plan of May this year, which has been consulted on. This application is not related to
a site within the Council’s Local Plan . As such it is seeking to circumvent the democratic local process. It is up to elected representatives rather than private interests to determine the
housing policy of the area. The proposal has not been planned and is therefore against the Hertsmere Local Plan 2024’s strategic objective no. 18 of protecting against unplanned
development. Residents have a right to quiet enjoyment of their homes.
4. Infrastructure: The existing 1930s infrastructure including doctors, dentists and sewage disposal would simply not cope with the proposed scale of development. The main roads
cannot be widened because of the 2 bridges across the M25. The character of the Royds Conservation Area of Oakroyd avenue, Elmroyd avenue, Baker Street and adjoining roads
would be radically changed.
5. Green Belt is designed to ensure a geographical separation between urban areas. Once gone it is lost forever. The land in the application is unquestionably green belt arable land rather than “grey belt”. Biodiversity would be negatively impacted with the loss of habitat for birds and endangered species of flora and fauna. Current wildlife includes badgers, muntjac
deer, sparrow hawks, red kites, tawny owls, bats, pheasants, Great Crested newts, dragonflies and damselflies amongst others.
6. Carbon emissions: The UK government’s target is to reduce carbon emissions by 68% from 1990 levels by 2030. The development of this site means an increase of the carbon
footprint. The use of concrete and the extremely close proximity to the M25 motorway will contribute to the risk of silicosis and other respiratory diseases. The planning proposal is directly opposed to the Council’s own policies of reducing emissions and promoting health and well-being (Hertsmere Local Plan 2024 strategic objectives as listed in bullet point 1 above) as well as promoting open spaces and recreation facilities (Strategic objectives 10 and 14).
This proposal would remove the amenity of a large chunk of natural open space.
