Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

Knebworth is a village surrounded by Green Belt. To remove the Green Belt is a threat to the village, it will become connected to Stevenage and Welwyn Hatfield.
The plan cannot be effective as their is no strategy. There is no connection between housing, employment and creation of an infrastructure needed to support the growth of such a plan.
Impact on the B197 has not been taken into consideration, currently the B197 takes large amounts of commuter traffic morning and evening in both directions. Presently the time to travel 3 miles to junction 6 of the A1 or the centre of Welwyn Garden City takes 45minutes.
Parking at the Railway Station is a major problem. Knebworth has the highest growth of rail passengers in the region. Govia Thameslink is proposing a cut in trains stopping at Knebworth.
There are no employment opportunities in Knebworth, the current largest employer is closing the business. There is no opportunity nor are there proposals for employment in the area.
Access to the proposed site is severely restricted, the only access road is through a narrow hieight restricted bridge. Due to parking it is a single track road through the village.
There is a major capacity issue at Rye Meads Sewage Treatment Works. There are issues with the closeness to conservation areas, there not being a plan to provide commercial properties that can support an enlarged village.
The impact of noise and pollution from the A1(M) this stretch of the motorway is recorded as the most polluted at commuting times. Traffic will use Deards End Lane, mostly a single track road with a narrow weight restricted bridge. Currently a rat run for traffic avoiding the centre of Knebworth. That road would be unable to cope with increased traffic flow.

Concern regarding the removal of the Green Belt between the A1(M) and the village.
Concern about the pollution from the A1(M)
this part of the A1(M) is the worst polluted in the area. Concern at building a Primary School so close to a known pollution hazard.
Concern that housing will be immediately adjacent to a known pollution zone.
Access to the site is via Gun Lane Railway Bridge, a bridge of limited width and height including a severe bend at the east side of the railway. Access through Stockens Green conservation area. Severe damage would be done to the surrounding area.
Drainage issues, these fields suffer from flooding on a regular basis from surface water created by the motorway.
The increase of traffic that would be created by the proposed Primary School would severely damage the surrounding area. Traffic would use the single track Gypsy Lane causing damage and deterioration to a lane of historical interest, which is earmarked for protection. Traffic congestion created by the additional vehicles of the Deards End proposal plus the Gypsy Lane development would be unmanageable at peak travel times.
Residents having no local employment will have to travel to work adding to the parking pressures at Knebworth Railway Station and the local streets surrounding the Station.
The added pressure on the already overloaded B197 in both directions.
Current traffic modelling is inadequate, recent road narrowing on the B187 at Woolmer Green has slowed traffic down and caused congestion. Roundabouts in South Stevenage cause congestion back to Knebworth as motorists cannot make progress due to heavy traffic coming from their right.
Concern about local services ability to cater for an increased population, no commercial opportunities have been planned, current businesses in Knebworth are limited.

Concern about the loss of the Green Belt between Knebworth and Stevenage, there is the likely hood of coalescence. There would be a severe loss of productive agricultural land. Concern about the water pumping station above the borehole. There is a danger that building could contaminate an essential water supply due to the increased sewage and other pollutants passing though the area.
Concern about the increase in capacity of traffic on Swangleys Lane (mostly single track) and Watton Road. Currently Watton Road is heavily used by Funeral Directors and Mourners travelling to the Crematorium. This can cause traffic problems additional to day to day usage. Once the road leaves the village it becomes a narrow county lane. Within the village it is single track with passing bays due to commuter parking. This causes severe traffic issues at the junction with London Road and Stevenage Road. There would be severe access issues for construction vehicles.
There has been no consultation with villagers about these sites, the indication on this documentment came as a surprise to residents.
The plan should be withdrawn. A better solution already exists in the West of Stevenage plan with reserved land capable of 3100homes, the infrastructure has been planned together with new access roads from the A1(M).

Concern about the loss of the Green Belt between Knebworth and Stevenage, there is the likely hood of coalescence. There would be a severe loss of productive agricultural land. Concern about the water pumping station above the borehole. There is a danger that building could contaminate an essential water supply due to the increased sewage and other pollutants passing though the area.
Concern about the increase in capacity of traffic on Swangleys Lane (mostly single track) and Watton Road. Currently Watton Road is heavily used by Funeral Directors and Mourners travelling to the Crematorium. This can cause traffic problems additional to day to day usage. Once the road leaves the village it becomes a narrow county lane. Within the village it is single track with passing bays due to commuter parking. This causes severe traffic issues at the junction with London Road and Stevenage Road. There would be severe access issues for construction vehicles.
There has been no consultation with villagers about these sites, the indication on this documentment came as a surprise to residents.
The plan should be withdrawn. A better solution already exists in the West of Stevenage plan with reserved land capable of 3100homes, the infrastructure has been planned together with new access roads from the A1(M).