Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

I have particular concerns as a local resident of the impact of increased traffic from the KB1 site, as Deards End Lane (the shortest access north) has 4 hazardous bends/ blind corners, 2 areas not wide enough for 2 cars to pass and a narrow bridge which is a Registered Historic Monument. This road is already regularly used as a cut through when the B197 has heavy traffic. This road cannot cope with any extra traffic. It is already hazardous to motor traffic and pedestrians. It should be noted that no pavement exists and local residents must walk in the road - effectively a narrow hedged country lane - in the traffic. This has safety and congestion concerts with no viable solution or alternative traffic management measures. It is not correct to assume that traffic from KB1 will use the other routes through Knebworth. NHDC of deferring any detailed Transport Assessment until planning application stage is unacceptable, and stops members of the public from commenting on this critical issues during the consultation process. This is unacceptable and without a proper Transport Assessment, the Local Plan is severely flawed.

Furthermore, KB1 will have a significant negative impact on the adjacent Conservation Area of Deards End Lane. This development ( KB1) is also adjacent to a SSSI and important wildlife habitats. Loss of countryside and open landscape will have a hugely detrimental effect. Increased traffic and insensitive development (including loss of fields, hedgerow and woodland) will reduce the environmental and cultural value of this Conservation Area.

I am writing to comment on the North Hertfordshire District Council's Local Plan 2011 - 2031 (Proposed Submission, October 2016). In particular, I wish to object to the proposed developments for Knebworth, namely KB1, KB2, KB3 and KB4. My objections are based primarily on three of the "Tests of Soundness" that Local Plans are required to meet and as a result is not 'positively prepared, effective or consistent with national policy'.
I am concerned about 3 areas where the plan for these 4 sites has not taken into consideration local feedback in the first consultation and has not set out a strategy demonstrating how these infrastructure and issues will be addressed. I address these issues in more detail below.
1. Traffic congestion in Knebworth
2. Inadequate local local infrastructure
3. Removal of of Green Belt protesction

1. Traffic Congestion in Knebworth
The proposed developments will all contribute significantly to increased traffic in Knebworth, which already struggles to cope with the existing level of traffic and is frequently at a standstill when there are accidents and delay on the A1. I have particular concerns as a local resident of the impact of increased traffic from the KB1 site, as Deards End Lane (the shortest access north) has 4 hazardous bends/ blind corners, 2 areas not wide enough for 2 cars to pass and a narrow bridge which is a Registered Historic Monument. This road is already regularly used as a cut through when the B197 has heavy traffic. This road cannot cope with any extra traffic. It is already hazardous to motor traffic and pedestrians. It should be noted that no pavement exists and local residents must walk in the road - effectively a narrow hedged country lane - in the traffic. This has safety and congestion concerts with no viable solution or alternative traffic management measures. It is not correct to assume that traffic from KB1 will use the other routes through Knebworth. NHDC of deferring any detailed Transport Assessment until planning application stage is unacceptable, and stops members of the public from commenting on this critical issues during the consultation process. This is unacceptable and without a proper Transport Assessment, the Local Plan is severely flawed.

2. Inadequate local infrastructure
The current Local Plan has a lack of strategy and consideration of local infrastructure which is inadequate to cope with the proposed level of increase of house with a proposed increase of 663 dwellings, and population increase of 31%. Current health care and education provision is already at capacity and overstretched, and although the plan mentions new health centre and library, it should be noted that these are to replace the current facilities. There is also major capacity issue at Rye Meads Sewage Treatment Works. Whilst a new primary school is proposd, there is no indication of any increase in secondary school provision.

3. Impact on Green Belt.
The proposals for KB1, KB2 and KB4 will also have a detrimental impact on the Green Belt which is vital in protecting the identity of Knebworth as a village and separate settlement to its neighbouring communities of Stevenage and Woolmer Green. The proposal to remove the Green Belt is contrary to national Green Belt policy (Section 9 of the NPPF) where the Green Belt is specifically intended to protect against this type of development. Its removal will be to the detriment of maintaining the separate identity of Knebworth as a village and contrary to the conclusions of The NHDC Green Belt Review, July 2016, which concluded that the Green Belt around Knebworth, primarily along the A1(M) corridor, 'overall makes a significant contribution to Green Belt purposes, helping to prevent sprawl, merger and encroachment' .. All proposed sites with the exception of KB3 will also contribute significantly to coalescence with Woolmer Green and Stevenage. Furthermore, there is no evidence that the plan has been developed with any reference to the proposed plan by Welwyn and Hatfield Council and plans for housing sites in Woolmer Green.

There is also no coherent strategy regarding education provision despite the increase in housing meaning an increase in teh number of children seeking primary and secondary school places. Knebworth is not currently well-served for secondary school provision, and whilst the Plan mentions 'all through' provision, it is not clear what this means.

Many of my points objecting to KB1 are also relevant to KB2, particularly in terms of traffic increase and the impact on safety on Deards End Lane. Traffic from this area is also likely to use Deards End Lane as the shortest route north to Stevenage.