Object
Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft
Representation ID: 1107
Received: 29/11/2016
Respondent: Mr Kevin Andrews
Legally compliant? No
Sound? No
Duty to co-operate? No
Object to Knebwoth in general:
- The Plan for 663 homes are disproportionate for Knebworth Village which would change it forever.
- Village lacks key infrastructure (road network, sewerage, doctors surgery capacity, retail and schooling).
- The Plan fails Soundness test in that it has not been positively prepared, is not justified in its content and the outcome will not be effective.
- 663 homes in Knebworth (31%increase) is not sustainable and the plan fails to consider and mitigate the impact on the village community, there are NO policies for infrastructure improvement.
- Impact of plans for 150 homes in Woolmer Green and 70 at Oddessy next to Knebworth have not been considered.
- The Transport Modelling report 2014 failed to include all of Knebworth in its study area despite the severe congestion on B197 during peak hours. Travel south to the A1M J6 (4miles) in the morning can regularily take 40 min. Northbound late afternoon traffic queue into Knebworth and into Stevenage from Knebworth. I live in Pondcroft Road which runs parallel with the B197. Every weekday at evening peak time (4.30-6.30) vehicles avoid queuing into Knebworth High Street by turning left into Gun Road and then right into Pondcroft Road using it as a" rat run". On the 18/11/16 in 15 min (17.40 - 17.55) I counted 77 vehicles travel north and 14 south past my house. Traffic also use Gun Lane as a rat run as that is parallel to Pondcroft Road on the other side of the railway. The Highways Agency 2015 report says the A!M J6 has "substantial queues northbound at the evening peak". Traffic uses the B197 to avoid A1M congestion. This will also get worse with proposals for more homes in Stevenage and further north.
- No proposals for jobs creation in Knebworth.
- Significant loss of countryside / agricultural land destroying a village environment.
-Infrastructure Development Plan para 12.39. Thames Water says further review is needed for sewerage capacity and the foul sewer system as our village does not have a dedicated surface water system. There are also major capacity issues at Rye Meads Sewerage Treatment Works.
- No justification to remove Green Belt land around Knebworth reducing the space between other communities and thus losing Knebworths identity.
- Lack of proper consultation as Site KB4 has been added late in the plan process. I was not aware of the site until the start of the consultation process even though I am registered with NHDC to receive all information.
-Significant impact on the two Conservation Areas in Knebworth from Sites KB1 & KB2.