Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

- 663 homes in Knebworth (31%increase) is not sustainable and the plan fails to consider and mitigate the impact on the village community, there are NO policies for infrastructure improvement.
- Impact of plans for 150 homes in Woolmer Green and 70 at Oddessy next to Knebworth have not been considered.
- The Transport Modelling report 2014 failed to include all of Knebworth in its study area despite the severe congestion on B197 during peak hours. Travel south to the A1M J6 (4miles) in the morning can regularily take 40 min. Northbound late afternoon traffic queue into Knebworth and into Stevenage from Knebworth. I live in Pondcroft Road which runs parallel with the B197. Every weekday at evening peak time (4.30-6.30) vehicles avoid queuing into Knebworth High Street by turning left into Gun Road and then right into Pondcroft Road using it as a" rat run". On the 18/11/16 in 15 min (17.40 - 17.55) I counted 77 vehicles travel north and 14 south past my house. Traffic also use Gun Lane as a rat run as that is parallel to Pondcroft Road on the other side of the railway. The Highways Agency 2015 report says the A!M J6 has "substantial queues northbound at the evening peak". Traffic uses the B197 to avoid A1M congestion. This will also get worse with proposals for more homes in Stevenage and further north.
- No proposals for jobs creation in Knebworth.
- Significant loss of countryside / agricultural land destroying a village environment.
-Infrastructure Development Plan para 12.39. Thames Water says further review is needed for sewerage capacity and the foul sewer system as our village does not have a dedicated surface water system. There are also major capacity issues at Rye Meads Sewerage Treatment Works.
- No justification to remove Green Belt land around Knebworth reducing the space between other communities and thus losing Knebworths identity.
- Lack of proper consultation as Site KB4 has been added late in the plan process. I was not aware of the site until the start of the consultation process even though I am registered with NHDC to receive all information.
-Significant impact on the two Conservation Areas in Knebworth from Sites KB1 & KB2.

- KB1 and KB2 sites are sandwiched between A1M and the East Coast Mainline, access to the sites are limited. The road infrastructure is insufficient. Deards End Lane is a country lane only wide enough for two non commercial vehiclesto pass along part of its length. The bridge over the East Coast Mainline is also very narrow. Access to the B197 via Park Lane/Station Road is under a narrow rail bridge with a pathway used by people to get to the station. The path is only wide enough for one person for most of its length and to pass someone it is necessary to step into the road which is dangerous. Increased traffic =increased danger.
- Impacts on the character of Deards End Conservation Area .
- Site is close to A1M subject to noise and pollution.

- KB2 and KB1 sites are sandwiched between the A1M and the East Coast rail line and has limited road access. Access to the B197 is via Stockens Green Road, which is a Conservation area, is under a narrow rail bridge with a single narrow footpath. When approaching the bridge you cannot see vehicles approaching from the other side because of the angle of the road and vehicles often sound their horns to warn oncoming vehicles.
- An alternative route to the B197 is via Bridge Road in Woolmer Green. This is a single track lane with no footpath path. The road goes under a narrow rail bridge which has no footpath.
- Proposals for a school on KB2 will create a huge number of extra car journeys to and from the KB2 site. Access issues as above.
- The school would be adjacent to the A1M and pupils would be subject to adverse noise and pollution.
- There are already drainage issues in the area where the adjacent Orchard Way estate suffers from flooding during heavy rain.

- Redevelopment of the site would be supported if it was proposed that it included some ground floor retail units and/or commercial units . A reduction in the number of retail units could be detrimental to the existing retailers with lower footfall.
- There is no Retail Plan for Knebworth.

- Development is proposed either side of Watton Road which is currently a country lane but links the B197 with the A602 Hertford Road and has a significant volume of traffic at peak times. New housing would increase that volume of traffic.
- Is on Green Belt land close to Stevenage.