Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

The plan for Knebworth, as it stands, is not a 'Positively prepared'. Currently we fall outside the development size for a detailed plan as the 650+ possible developments sit on 5 sites. However considering the size of Knebworth and the big percentage increase in property and inhabitants I believe that a detailed plan is required to demonstrate that current infrastructure can cope or detail what improvements are needed and where they will be funded from.
I believe Knebworth may have been considered a good option for development due to current infastructure such as railway line and doctors surgery etc and these are both already under great pressure.
- The Govia Thaameslink Railway 2018 Timetable consultation is considering taking away all fast trains from Knebworth and stopping all trains going to Peterborough.
- Although we have a new doctors surdury planned. This has been put on hold I beleive as it is considered it would not be able to cope with demand it this plan goes ahead. So now local residence must suffer while we wait o see of this goes ahead!

A few points for consideration:-
1. The current access to the plots at the east side of the village all have elements of single file road access, especially under both railway bridges on Station Road and Gun Lane.
2. The high street is already a nightmare and increased traffic, which will occur due to lack of any plan for local jobs, will cause further headaches and danger to our young. i hear there is a proposal to limit parking on one side of the high street. This is not the answer for 3 reasons a) reduced trade for local business b) faster moving/speeding traffic through the village c) The already dangerous rat run of Pondcroft Road will become even more dangerous
3. As already mentioned, doctors surgery that will not be able to cope.
4. Reduced train service
5. School places. Primary school we may have a short term solution but Secondary school admission will be further put under pressure.
6. Parking is already an issue and if these properties were to be allowed parking permits this would lead to impossible parking for residence near the train station on rainy days and especially weekends.

I could go on but my main point is that a detailed plan should be done and then this would show the infrastructure we would need and then I am almost certain that this plan would be scraped due to the high cost of implementation.