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Dear Sir/Madam Re: Objection to Planning Application 23/0937/OUT I am writing to formally object to the planning application 23/0937/OUT for the proposed development on land off Barnet Lane and Furzehill Road. After a thorough review of the application and careful consideration of its potential impacts, I wish to express my concerns as outlined below. This objection should be taken as my separate and individual submission in accordance with your agreed policy. 1. Green Belt Land: The land under consideration falls squarely within the parameters of Green Belt land, as defined by the National Planning Policy Framework. Green Belt designation serves as a vital mechanism to preserve natural landscapes, prevent urban sprawl, and establish a barrier between urban and rural areas. The proposed site plays a crucial role in maintaining the separation between London and Borehamwood. Notably, no exceptional circumstances exist to justify the encroachment upon Green Belt land, and it is not in the current Local Plan. 2. Increase in Traffic: Approving this development poses a clear risk of exacerbating traffic congestion and disturbances, especially during the construction phase. Furthermore, the introduction of 220 additional homes along Furzehill Road, an already heavily congested artery and a crucial route out of Borehamwood, would only amplify traffic problems. Additionally, the anticipated rise in traffic on Barnet Lane, resulting from individuals attempting to circumvent the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charges, would compound existing congestion challenges. This projected surge in traffic not only jeopardizes road safety but also undermines air quality, compromising the well-being of local residents. 3. General Infrastructure: Borehamwood's current state of over development raises pertinent concerns about the adequacy of existing infrastructure, especially in the absence of a related Local Plan. The strain on vital systems such as sewage, road networks, healthcare facilities including GP surgeries and dentists, and educational institutions is already evident. Introducing the proposed development, coupled with potential future expansions, risks overburdening the existing infrastructure beyond its capacity. To prevent a decline in essential services, significant financial investment from the Council is imperative to accommodate the anticipated population surge. Failure to address this could result in compromised quality of life for both current and future residents. 4. Loss of Biodiversity: The construction of 220 homes and accompanying roads and parking spaces, is likely to lead to a loss of biodiversity. This stark reality contradicts the proposal's claim of increasing biodiversity. The strategies proposed, such as tree coppicing and layering and biodiverse areas within front drives and back gardens, are hampered by practical limitations and the prevalence of artificial landscaping choices among homeowners. (It should be noted that whilst coppicing can increase the biodiversity, very few trees can be coppiced.) As a result, the anticipated development would result in diminished biodiversity, contrary to the assertion of enhancement. There are two trees across the site which are scheduled within Tree Preservation Order ref. TPO 387/1997 to be removed, in addition to three groups of trees and shrubs which will be removed (as documented in the Arboricultural Impact Assessment, March 2023). 5. Local Flooding: The documented issue of local flooding at the roundabout where Barnet Lane and Furzehill Road intersect is already a cause for concern, contributing to congestion and traffic disruption. Approving the construction works is likely to worsen this problem, further impeding traffic flow and necessitating a thorough examination of the project's impact on local drainage systems. Affinity Water object to the planning application as "excavations that penetrate into the chalk aquifer below the groundwater table (for example, piling or the installation of a geothermal open/closed loop system) have the potential to cause water quality failures due to elevated concentrations of contaminants through displacement to a greater depths and turbidity generation." Furthermore, they object due to the risk of flooding due to surface water drainage and that we are in a 'water stressed area' and that water efficiency is paramount. 6. Noise from Local Traffic: The proposed site's positioning between the bustling Barnet Lane and Furzehill Road raises valid concerns about noise pollution. The Environmental Health and Licensing report accompanying the planning application acknowledges the potential for noise infiltration into residential spaces, mandating closed windows for internal amenity. This requirement compromises residents' comfort and contradicts the envisioned quality of life for potential inhabitants. The report further suggests that suitable design options, including orienting habitable rooms away from the roads, can provide ventilation without compromising internal noise levels. However, these measures remain inadequate in mitigating the potential discomfort posed by noise pollution. 7. Emergency, Pedestrian, and Cycle Access from Carrington Avenue: Carrington Avenue's narrow width renders it unsuitable for emergency access due to its inability to accommodate two vehicles simultaneously, exacerbated by parked cars. This limitation poses a tangible risk to effective emergency response and undermines safe pedestrian and cycle access. 8. Proposed Quiet Cycle Path on Carrington Avenue and Masefield Avenue: This would necessitate further loss of habitat of hedgerows and trees on the proposed site of Woodcock Hill Village Green in order to create the cycle path alongside Carrington Avenue and Masefield Avenue which is unacceptable. Furthermore, the steep gradient of Carrington Avenue presents insurmountable challenges for implementing a safe cycle path. Tragically a young child lost his life in a cycling accident here which serves to underscore the inherent risks associated with this road, further emphasizing the unsuitability of the proposed quiet cycle path. Considering these concerns, I strongly urge the planning authority to undertake a thorough re-evaluation of the proposed development. The potential implications on Green Belt preservation, traffic congestion, local infrastructure, biodiversity, flooding, noise pollution, and safety warrant meticulous scrutiny. I trust that the Council will prioritize the collective well-being of the community and the region's long-term sustainability when making its decision on planning application 23/0937/OUT. Thank you for your consideration. Yours sincerely,

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