Harpenden homes development fears

SIR – I am starting to have worrying concerns about the way this whole development proposal is unfolding. I understand that unanimous council approval was only obtained on the basis that the development would consist of 100 per cent social housing. Yet lo

SIR - I am starting to have worrying concerns about the way this whole development proposal is unfolding.

I understand that unanimous council approval was only obtained on the basis that the development would consist of 100 per cent social housing.

Yet local people are under the impression that the site will contain SOME social housing, together with affordable two, three and the odd four-bedroom houses.

A slight divergence on what was originally mooted and passed in council.

At the first open meeting with the working party, a question was asked about who was going to live in the proposed development.

The reply was that the houses were intended for local Harpenden people, and not for those on the top of the St Albans waiting list. (Note: I was the questioner, gentle reader, and I took written notes). This answer is totally out of the remit of the local town vouncil.

Finally, the proposed access road via Hyde Close (the name Close indicates the sort of road we are talking about) flies in the face of a letter written by the Highways Department, dated November 19, 2004, the time of the last proposal to develop this area.

The letter clearly states that "Hyde Close looks an unlikely prospect because of the level difference and also the impact that it would have on the dismantled railway line".

This is now the Nicky Cycle Way of course and the impact would be devastating. I have a copy of this and several other official communications in the same vein.

Holy Mendacity, Robin - head for the Batcave; it's getting pretty murky around here!

CAROL HEDGES

Coldharbour Lane, Harpenden