Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

I wish to object to the current local plan on the following grounds:
1. There is a lack of consideration of the effects of the plan on the infrastructure and life of the village as a whole. Knebworth has amenities that make it attractive to residents in terms of transport links, doctor's surgery, school, churches, library and small number of shops but these barely cope with the current demand let alone possibly increasing the population by at least a thousand. An additional primary school was promised nearly 40 years ago as part of the deal for accepting a previous development, but was subsequently later quietly dropped - what chance is there that we can trust now new proposals? Currently all children have to leave the village for secondary education.
2. Planning proposals have failed to take into account development put forward in neighbouring villages such as Woolmer Green to the south, and the impact of that on the facilities of Knebworth (eg schooling and transport)
3.It seems that issues of traffic have been largely ignored. Developments to the west of the village (sites KB1 and KB2) for 384 dwellings ignore the fact that all traffic from there will have to enter the village centre and main B197 via two narrow bridges under the East Coast main line railway, in Station Approach / Station Road, and Gun Road. The road is currently so narrow that there is only a single person width pavement available for both bridges, causing danger when pushchairs and prams are used, or when people are trying to control young children. The road is also so narrow that there is insufficient room for any white lines down its middle - the problem is confounded when lorries, buses and farm traffic try to use it - a problem which would be seriously added to by construction traffic. The potential for an accident or a bridge strike and consequent disruption of both road and rail traffic increases hugely. In addition, the proximity of the station to one of these bridges means that there are times of the day when rail passengers either on foot or in cars causes increased difficulty now. Development of the village to the east (site KB4) will vastly increase traffic joining the B197 and trying to get through the village. Currently the B197 can become congested very easily even outside rush hours as buses and delivery lorries try to get through. There is no indication that HCC Highways have given any consideration to these issues.
4. All sites proposed are in the green belt. Proximity to the countryside is an important factor in what attracted many people to live here initially, and this is something which is highly valued. There is a huge danger that over-development will cause Knebworth to lose its separate identity from the towns and villages that surround it. Knebworth would change from a village to a small town as a result of this development.
5. With the development of Site KB3 employment opportunities are being lost. There is no apparent provision or even consideration of the creation of local employment in the plans.
6. In terms of the broader infrastructure there is no indication that issues have been considered relating to drainage. Drainage connects to Rye Meads near Hoddesdon and there are already infrastructure constraints on this. There are already unresolved issues of flooding within the village, particularly with relation to run-off from the A1. Additional development of Site KB2 would only add to this.
7. There are 2 village Conservation Areas at Stockens Green and close to Deards End Lane, both of which are very close to proposed developments, and there is very little information about how these would be considered.
8. I am very concerned that changes to the village will be implemented on a 'piecemeal' approach, so that the above issues will be overlooked.