Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

I wish to respond to the Local Plan to which I refer above.

I wish to register a strong objection to the scale and nature of the plan.

Knebworth is a large village as a result of development. The population of Knebworth has increased significantly in recent years. There have been two major developments and a great deal of infilling, since I moved to Knebworth 38 years ago. This was just after the first Wimpey development
Firstly, I would say that the plan is all about building houses. There is nothing in there for Knebworth, to improve the infrastructure or to increase employment prospects. It is merely about cramming more houses onto available space. Use of available space will destroy fertile farmland and reduce the green belt. I am aware of the risk of merging Knebworth and Stevenage and this does concern me although you may not be willing to take this into account but there is a grave danger of Knebworth losing its separate identity and character.

A buzz-acronym these days is JAM (Just about managing) ,and in many respects, Knebworth is JAM.

* The new plan will increase the number of homes within Knebworth by a third. This will be a serious issue for a village that is JAM.
* Knebworth is already seriously impacted by through and local traffic and by commuter parking.
* The part of Knebworth to the west of the B197 is an island hemmed in by the railway and the B197. Access is via three (under track) road bridges and one (over track) road bridge. The only other way in is via Old Knebworth along little more than single track country lanes. They cannot take more traffic. The roads under and over the railway are all narrow and all offset so that through visibility is compromised. Indeed it is already dangerous and so many more passages will increase the danger significantly. I strongly believe that to plan to create an increase in the number of journeys along these roads is reckless.
* The school is already crowded. An earlier plan included a primary school but this appears to have become less certain.
* The doctor's surgery is unable to cope and re-location is planned although planning permission has not yet been forthcoming.
* There is significant flooding and there is a major capacity problem at the local sewage works
* You will see that I live on Stockens Green which is a conservation area. The plan will have a significant impact on this.

I have tried to be objective and not to take a NIMBY approach to the plan but I strongly feel that the sheer size this plan threatens the character, life and safety of the people of Knebworth Given the extent of development to the west of Knebworth and in Woolmer Green the numbers proposed for Knebworth are excessive and disproportionate.