Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

Chas Lowe is the business heart of the village: replacing it with houses will have a bad impact on revenue and employment in nearby shops and businesses.

The high street is a 'pinch point' EVERY DAY at rush hours and when children arrive and leave the school, typically being driven by their parents. It is not just a pinch point when the A1(M) is closed. The additional housing will add substantially to this daily congestion.

There are two bridges which effectively divide Knebworth along a north-south axis. Traffic under both bridges has to excercise considerable caution as they are narrow, have very small pavements, and are approached on bends. Extra housing will result in much more traffic using the bridges.

The plan is rather vague about the need for extra schools. The plan should not be adopted unless an extra primary and secondary school is built - it is not enough to hint at the need.

The proposed housing will remove green-belt and inevitably turn quiet country lanes into urban thoroughfares; no doubt it will be thought necessary to widen them, install street lighting, etc. What are currently pleasant walks will be ruined as a result.