Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

We are writing to express our concern about the Local Plan, which we feel is unsound. The proposed sites in Knebworth, as well as Codicote and the surrounding area, will have a detrimental impact on roads, railways, education, the environment and the character of our villages.

Knebworth surgery is already overstretched. There are plans to build a new surgery, but this is to replace the current one, it is not an additional service.

The Great Northern railway service is overcrowded at peak times and even off peak there is often standing room only. Parking at Knebworth Station is totally inadequate.

The B197 through Knebworth and the B656 through Codicote take a lot of commuter traffic from adjoining villages which converges at Old Welwyn to join the A1M. At peak times, all these roads become congested, even gridlocked. When the A1M, M1 or M25 have closures the extra traffic converges on our local roads bringing everything to a standstill. The impact of extra housing and therefore more vehicles will be catastrophic.

Contrary to the Department of Transport's guidelines Sites KB1 and KB2 in particular are unacceptably close to the AlM, potentially causing unpleasant and unacceptable environmental conditions for residents.

We feel that the Council has not demonstrated 'exceptional circumstances' for removing land from the Green Belt. Green Belt land offers significant protection of the space between villages and towns in the district enabling Knebworth to keep a separate identity.

The Local Plan is inadequately prepared and, if the proposed housing goes ahead, the character of Knebworth and the surrounding villages will be changed irrevocably. A new garden city, as has been suggested by our MP Stephen McPartland, would seem to be an excellent solution to the district's housing dilemma.

We are writing to express our concern about the Local Plan, which we feel is unsound. The proposed sites in Knebworth, as well as Codicote and the surrounding area, will have a detrimental impact on roads, railways, education, the environment and the character of our villages.

Knebworth surgery is already overstretched. There are plans to build a new surgery, but this is to replace the current one, it is not an additional service.

The Great Northern railway service is overcrowded at peak times and even off peak there is often standing room only. Parking at Knebworth Station is totally inadequate.

The B197 through Knebworth and the B656 through Codicote take a lot of commuter traffic from adjoining villages which converges at Old Welwyn to join the A1M. At peak times, all these roads become congested, even gridlocked. When the A1M, M1 or M25 have closures the extra traffic converges on our local roads bringing everything to a standstill. The impact of extra housing and therefore more vehicles will be catastrophic.

Contrary to the Department of Transport's guidelines Sites KB1 and KB2 in particular are unacceptably close to the AlM, potentially causing unpleasant and unacceptable environmental conditions for residents.

We feel that the Council has not demonstrated 'exceptional circumstances' for removing land from the Green Belt. Green Belt land offers significant protection of the space between villages and towns in the district enabling Knebworth to keep a separate identity.

The Local Plan is inadequately prepared and, if the proposed housing goes ahead, the character of Knebworth and the surrounding villages will be changed irrevocably. A new garden city, as has been suggested by our MP Stephen McPartland, would seem to be an excellent solution to the district's housing dilemma.

We are writing to express our concern about the Local Plan, which we feel is unsound. The proposed sites in Knebworth, as well as Codicote and the surrounding area, will have a detrimental impact on roads, railways, education, the environment and the character of our villages.

Knebworth surgery is already overstretched. There are plans to build a new surgery, but this is to replace the current one, it is not an additional service.

The Great Northern railway service is overcrowded at peak times and even off peak there is often standing room only. Parking at Knebworth Station is totally inadequate.

The B197 through Knebworth and the B656 through Codicote take a lot of commuter traffic from adjoining villages which converges at Old Welwyn to join the A1M. At peak times, all these roads become congested, even gridlocked. When the A1M, M1 or M25 have closures the extra traffic converges on our local roads bringing everything to a standstill. The impact of extra housing and therefore more vehicles will be catastrophic.

Contrary to the Department of Transport's guidelines Sites KB1 and KB2 in particular are unacceptably close to the AlM, potentially causing unpleasant and unacceptable environmental conditions for residents.

We feel that the Council has not demonstrated 'exceptional circumstances' for removing land from the Green Belt. Green Belt land offers significant protection of the space between villages and towns in the district enabling Knebworth to keep a separate identity.

The Local Plan is inadequately prepared and, if the proposed housing goes ahead, the character of Knebworth and the surrounding villages will be changed irrevocably. A new garden city, as has been suggested by our MP Stephen McPartland, would seem to be an excellent solution to the district's housing dilemma.

We are writing to express our concern about the Local Plan, which we feel is unsound. The proposed sites in Knebworth, as well as Codicote and the surrounding area, will have a detrimental impact on roads, railways, education, the environment and the character of our villages.

Knebworth surgery is already overstretched. There are plans to build a new surgery, but this is to replace the current one, it is not an additional service.

The Great Northern railway service is overcrowded at peak times and even off peak there is often standing room only. Parking at Knebworth Station is totally inadequate.

The B197 through Knebworth and the B656 through Codicote take a lot of commuter traffic from adjoining villages which converges at Old Welwyn to join the A1M. At peak times, all these roads become congested, even gridlocked. When the A1M, M1 or M25 have closures the extra traffic converges on our local roads bringing everything to a standstill. The impact of extra housing and therefore more vehicles will be catastrophic.

Contrary to the Department of Transport's guidelines Sites KB1 and KB2 in particular are unacceptably close to the AlM, potentially causing unpleasant and unacceptable environmental conditions for residents.

We feel that the Council has not demonstrated 'exceptional circumstances' for removing land from the Green Belt. Green Belt land offers significant protection of the space between villages and towns in the district enabling Knebworth to keep a separate identity.

The Local Plan is inadequately prepared and, if the proposed housing goes ahead, the character of Knebworth and the surrounding villages will be changed irrevocably. A new garden city, as has been suggested by our MP Stephen McPartland, would seem to be an excellent solution to the district's housing dilemma.