Do you go round with your eyes shut?

By N Cutting | Sunday, October 09, 2011, 09:32

Two little items to read and think about when you get fed up with the Sunday papers.

There was concern regarding the access into Chesham Road when they put in the plans to demolish The Garth and build a load of flats. No-one spotted the rear access into Priory Gardens that was installed when that was developed.

The latest 'blind man' concerns are in the anonymous leaflet being circulated in the Hall Park area. Residents in Fieldway must have been wondering for years why the road seems to go no-where if you turn right from Upper Hall Park. The anonymous writer obviously doesn't live there otherwise he would have known that!

Otherwise, it makes some good points even if misguided at times:

"GUI's proposal for the Swing Gate Lane congestion is to stop residents parking in the street".

No they do not propose that, just reiterating what HCC have already suggested.

"Concept is rooted in the identified needs of the town as articulated by local residents"

The land is Green Belt, but the idea that it is productive agricultural land is stretching it a little. It's full of stony clay soil and the farmer can only usually grow animal foodstuff without a lot of fertiliser. I think GUI are actually referring to the need for affordable rented accommodation - for which there is a demand but I don't think the 'Concept' addresses. It talks about partnerships with social housing associations, but their idea is completely different to what I believe is wanted. Non-profit rental housing is what is needed. Different sizes, different needs, variety, but affordable (ie, not needing a large deposit).

GUI is an investment company. That usually means a profit at the end of the day. If the land (bought at very cheap £/acre due to Green Belt/agricultural) is redesignated as suitable for housing, then the value will rocket. This money is very unlikely to end up as a benefit for Berkhamsted. I just wonder why the likes of either the Town or Borough Councils did not buy the land or even compulsory purchase the land as at least we would have an accountable land owner we could praise or vote out rather than the almost faceless (he did show his face a couple of times) investor. I think I preferred the benign Insurance company!

If you want to object, then you do need to be objective and accurate - this is why GUI have spent a lot of money doing research