Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

IMBALANCE - the proposed amount of housing is disproportionate compared to proposed plans for other villages. If this reflects the potential higher sale prices for houses in Knebworth near the station, then that is not likely to provide affordable housing and is a duplicitous argument.
ROAD access - perhaps the most intractable issue is the bridges under the main railway line. One is already has a protection order and should not be used by lorries. The other two are narrow, there is a height restriction displayed on one already; the approach roads prevent a clear view through the bridge from either side (except for the east-west access to the south bridge). The pavements are inadequate for pedestrians - e.g. for two people walking towards each other, one has to step into the (narrow) roadway. Access for construction traffic would presumably be very difficult; and, post construction, several hundred additional cars would have a significantly detrimental effect on the safety of those pinch points.
It seems that proposed developments almost deliberately choose sites that have poor road infrastructure where other sites around the area are much better served.
LOCAL Lanes - the B197 (London/Stevenage north/south) road is the widest in the village and yet still not adequate - cf. impact on local businesses in the High Street for example. The roads to the east (Watton Road, Swangleys Lane) are narrow with several significant bends. Swangleys Lane also includes access to Knebworth School which is inadequate (and potentially dangerous) even now and surrounded by houses (thus restricting improvements).
COMMUTER land - already parking is a major issue. Although the proposed houses would be technically within the village, it is likely to generate more cars trying to park near the station in addition to those coming from nearby villages (especially Codicote and Woolmer Green).
INFRASTRUCTURE - the most alarming aspect of the proposals is that there is no plan (indeed apparently no need to plan) for the impact on the infrastructure of the area. In addition to the points mentioned, the capacity issues at Rye Meads Works are extremely concerning.
DOCTOR'S SURGERY - although only in planning as yet, there is a urgent need to improve the provision of space and facilities for the local surgery. Presumably this is being planned on the basis of the present population. A 30+% increase would render that facility immediately inadequate if the housing proposals for Knebworth were to be implemented.

It is bewildering how a plan to increase the size of the village by over 30% at the same time proposes to reduce the space for local businesses. It seems to underline that the plan ignores the need to increase employment opportunities and the needs of a significantly increased population. If neither of these requirements are taken into account, there will be yet more pressure for residents to get into their cars and negotiate the inadequate road infrastructure in order to go to the businesses and employment that they will need.

GREEN BELT - the presence of the fields between Knebworth and Stevenage, even though already a relatively narrow area, is vital to preserve the character of the village. The open landscape (and tree lined road by the water pumping station) are strong features of the area. The loss of these would not only change the character from rural to urban but also would include the loss of productive agricultural land.
The lie of the land would put the proposed buildings on the top of the skyline around the east side of the village.
The impact on the local lanes is significant. Watton Road is already used as a rat-run for commuters trying to get down to the Welwyn junction of the A1.