This site already forms part of an "appropriate, defensible Green Belt boundary" and its reclassification for housing development is unjustified, owing to improper consideration of the environmental impact and poor accessibility. Development will damage the character of the Deards End Conservation Area and will potentially harm species in Knebworth Woods SSSI and the adjacent priority habitat. Furthermore, the existing Deards End Lane access road is insufficient to support increased traffic from new housing and cannot be widened owing to railway bridge and existing properties.