The Parish Council objects to the proposed development of this site for housing, principally because it would remove an important source of employment and business from the local economy. Proposed development of this site contravenes the District Council's own policy in the Local Plan (policy ETC2), which seeks to protect employment on non-allocated sites. Allocation for housing would actually reduce the amount of land zoned for commercial use in this part of North Hertfordshire.

The site is a key location in the centre of the village. In terms of its activity, it contributes much to the character of Knebworth. There is no analysis of justifiable alternatives in the Local Plan, to off-set the loss of this site to the local economy. There has been speculation about the future of Chas Lowe on this site, but the Parish Council believes strongly that there should be no loss of retail and commercial use on this key site in the centre of the village. It should be noted that policy SP4 and paragraph 4.37 of the Local Plan clearly support town and local centres, including Knebworth. It not clear how the District Council intends to deliver this policy in Knebworth or any of the other local centres.

In recent years there have been problems in this part of the village with flooding associated with poor surface water drainage. The Parish Council is concerned that the construction of housing on this site would exacerbate the risk of flooding, due to increased surface run-off.