Object
Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft
Representation ID: 77
Received: 19/10/2016
Respondent: Dr Geoff Lawrence
Legally compliant? Not specified
Sound? Not specified
Duty to co-operate? Not specified
There are infrastructure issues like the rail bridges in Knebworth and the creation of new junction onto narrow lanes that must be recognised in the Plan and obligations on developers and planners to state clearly the potential remedies. Not to do so will instigate massive objections that will delay any planning application to deliver the houses identified in the Plan.
The proposed growth effects the borders of several settlements, like my own Knebworth. The growth is welcomed but the Plan omits to specify necessary associated development of the Centres that the Plan recognised are the heart of the growth in economy. For example the Centres in Codicote and especially in Knebworth, are accessed by narrow roads and obscured junctions to the main roads. The growth implies at least a 30% increase in vehicles and traffic flow. In Knebworth access from the west side to the Centre is via two railway underpasses, less than 14 feet and single pedestrian pavement of 2 feet, adequate for single file; we have to walk in the road to pass. Access to the rail station and main pub is via this rail underpass. Unless this "pinch-point" is not improved in parallel to the growth, access to the margins is seriously challenged, enough for the objections to the Plan to be os fraught, that it will threaten the delivery of growth in the timeframe allowed. I can imagine the whole of Old and "New" Knebworth will object on this single unrecognised infrastructure need.