Object

Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

Representation ID: 3420

Received: 28/11/2016

Respondent: Mrs Jo Simson

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

Representation Summary:

Object to Knebworth (in general):
- Scale of development
- Highway infrastructure
- Rail station and rail system
- The Doctors' surgery (even if it moves to the library site)
- Employment opportunities
- Current infrastructure
- Conservation areas
- Affordable housing need

Full text:

I have submitted online representations to Sites KB1, KB2, KB3 and KB4. These are my comments on paras 13.183-13.202.
663 new dwellings are proposed in Knebworth in the period to 2031. An increase of nearly 1/3. I cannot see how these can be accommodated without putting the following under intolerable stress:
The road system
The station and rail system
The Doctors' surgery (even if it moves to the library site)

There is no cohesive plan for the creation of employment for the extra people - in fact one of the major employers, Chas. Lowe, will be redeveloped as housing. The town - as Knebworth will become - will change from being a community to a dormitory town - with a population of tired, frustrated commuters who barely see the daylight in the winter months.

Previous Local Plans have concluded that Knebworth is not suitable for development because of infrastructure problems, not only the transport network, but the sewage, and the surface flooding. What has changed?

The proposals to remove Green Belt are contrary to NPPF Para 14 footnote 9. The two village Conservation areas, around Stockens Green and Deards End Lane, will also be put at risk by the proposed developments.

It beggars belief, but my understanding is that none of the proposed developments include the affordable housing so desperately needed.