Hemel Gazette: Letter from BEVA about LA3 in this week's edition

Although the plans for LA3 have been delegated to officers with a recommendation for approval, we are deeply concerned about the impact on the village.  The access arrangements to the traveller site are at odds with local and national policy, and the proposals for Chaulden Lane breach Hertfordshire Highways policies and present a serious safety risk to pedestrians from Winkwell, Pouchen End and the major development at Buttons.  We continue to work on your behalf to resolve the situation.

The text:

Dear Cllr Williams,

When you announced our council’s approach to new traveller sites we congratulated you. As you stated in the local paper:

"If there are any big sites identified, then gypsy and traveller sites should be part of that development, not bolted on the edge of existing communities.

Such an approach fits in with the national policy of 2015. It recognises the problem of foisting traveller sites on small communities where there are no facilities in a situation likely to alienate traveller and settled community alike.  With this policy in place travellers will be treated equally, with access to the new facilities of LA3; community shops, school and health services.   

This was the public face of the plan for LA3 until somewhere along the line, by careful planning with a ‘safe pair of hands’ and a ‘steer’ from a council member, it found itself dumped on Winkwell.  Never mind  planning policy, the assurance of the council leader, county policy on rural lanes, the traffic chaos at Winkwell, or your local tax payers and electors.

But as your spokesman replied to earlier criticism, ‘the developers will fund £10 million of infrastructure’. So why care about policy?

Your views please Cllr Williams.

Chair Bourne End Village Association.