Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

My main objections to KB4 are the risks of coalescence with Stevenage due to the proposed removal of Greenbelt east of Knebworth where there is already little separation between East Knebworth and West Stevenage. There is also no assessment in the local plan or from HCC Highways on access arrangements to the KB4 site and the impact this will have on surrounding traffic and roads. Current access to the site either through Watton Road or Oakfields Road would require major redevelopment of these residential roads (Watton Road has already needed traffic calming measures because of its use as a shortcut to Stevenage) with a large impact on the already congested B197. The plan also makes mention for the potential provision of a secondary school/All Through School at this site which would again carry a large risk of increased traffic congestion and access problems. On this basis I do not believe this part of the plan is justified.