Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

We are writing in objection to the proposed development site KB4 in Knebworth. We live in a peaceful country lane with little traffic and outstanding views of countryside (KB4) from our house.

We bought our house eight years ago with a view to raising a family in this lovely setting, which we have done up until now.

We would far rather have had the once proposed solar farm in our view than housing. We are totally opposed to any housing being built on KB4 especially on the field at Swangleys Lane end of Old Lane. This would absolutely ruin the beautiful view from our house and any houses on Old Lane.

Old Lane is exactly this - an Old Lane, narrow and quiet, one of the reasons we bought a house along it. I would strongly encourage anyone who thinks that this lane could fascilitate the development of KB4 to come and have a look at it. We are extremely concerned that the proposed housing would mean that Old Lane becomes a far busier road, bringing significantly more traffic and traffic noise. There is currently no pavement on Old Lane and as the road is narrow, cars have to pull over into the side to let oncoming vehicles pass by. A busier road would make it hazardous to walk to and from our house. A busier road would also make it far more hazardous for us to back our cars out of our driveway.

The only way Old Lane could be widened is by the removal of ancient hedgerow which runs along it, thus destroying wildlife habitat. We have often watched in delight foxes in the field opposite our house (KB4), by day and night in snowy weather. We enjoy seeing pheasants, hawks hovering and even an owl on and above the field.

I will also make the point, that not only is it important to protect this Greenbelt land as wildlife habitat, but also to protect its agricultural usage for arable farming.

We are completely against the proposed development on KB4. We do not believe that the proposed development plan considers the outstandingly beautiful countryside and wildlife habitat of KB4. We do not believe that the proposed development plan considers the people already living on Old Lane and the massive impact that the significant increase of traffic flow and noise, plus the great loss of countryside view will have. Old Lane would no longer be the lovely country lane it currently is and that people love it for.