Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

This plan is completely lacking in coherent strategy, and is not positively prepared. The plan fails to connect housing growth to infrastructure development to support sustainable growth. This plan for a 31% increase in dwellings in Knebworth will cause significant transportation issues, coalescence with adjacent settlements and the only infrastructure investment is for a Primary school located next to a motorway!

The original draft of this proposal included approximately 200 fewer homes and met with strong local opposition and legitimate concerns. There is no evidence of any of these concerns (particularly with regards to transport) being addressed in the latest draft, which then added the new sites at KB4 to the east of Knebworth. There has been no local consultation on the site at KB4 which I understand is contrary to national guidance.

The plan is not positively prepared because it circumvents planning policy that developments >500 homes should have their own specific plan. Adjacent sites at KB1 and KB2 are effectively the same development.

The only infrastructure mandated development mandated in this proposal is for an additional Primary School, close to the A1M. This would be adjacent to the A1 and as such noise and air pollution will be significant. In December 2014 the Environmental Audit Committee issued a report stating that: ' A ban on building schools, hospitals, and care homes near air pollution hotspots must be introduced to help cut thousands of deaths connected to the 'invisible killer' of traffic fumes.'

The housing in Knebworth is not justified because it makes no consideration of Planning granted for the Odyssey site to the north of Knebworth for approx. 70-100 homes. A clear strategy should take these into account, instead of terming these 'windfall' gains.

The plan is not justified because Stevenage West land has already been reserved for 3,100 homes. This would be better able to provide facilities and services.

The plan is not effective because there is no joined up thinking with adjacent parishes. Plans for Woolmer Green of 150 homes (to the north of Woolmer Green) have not been taken into account. If all the proposals go ahead then Knebworth and Woolmer Green will merge and Stevenage and Knebworth would be practically joined up. The town and villages will all merge into one. Significant risk of coalescence

Chas Lowe site: This proposal contradicts the retail policy for Knebworth that states development of commercial property should be for mixed used, residential and commercial. The village centre will be changed and this will have an impact. The facilities of Knebworth are designated as a village centre in the retail hierarchy under policy SP4. Therefore, any development of the village centre needs to take this into account

Green Belt:
Green Belt land makes a significant contribution to protecting spaces between towns and maintaining the separate identity of Knebworth as a village. Development of sites KB1 and KB2 will remove the Green Belt buffer between the village and the A1. There will be a loss of countryside and the open landscape setting.
Drainage issues:
Drainage issues have been raised time and time again. There will be a major capacity issue at Rye Meads Sewage Treatment Works and this has not been addressed. Surface water is already a problem; this will be exacerbated with increased population and households.

Transport:
It was raised in the previous consultation in 2014 that the existence of the railway line poses huge challenges regarding transport / traffic through the village. These challenges have not been addressed in this plan; in fact, the Plan says (13.195) that there are no mitigation requirements regarding transport. In fact, the Highways Agency has raised this issue previously. The problem with the bridges has been ignored. The two railway bridges at either end of the village are already dangerous due to the current volume of traffic, narrow roads, corners, and narrow pavements. An increase in volume of traffic and pedestrians will make this increasingly dangerous. It is a common occurrence for pedestrians to be "clipped" by wing mirrors of cars passing under the bridges. There have already been many near misses. These two routes are used extensively by small children going to and from school, in the morning rush hour. An increase of 31% of this scale can only add to the problems.
The high street is also a known pinch point; it current takes over 35 minutes to reach junction 6 of the A1 in rush hour, which is only 2 miles away. Increased traffic will only exacerbate this).
Deard's End Lane is already dangerous, and it can't be widened. It is unsuitable for heavy traffic and increased traffic will make it more dangerous and over crowded.
In the Plan (13.192) it states that much of the traffic in the mornings is caused by secondary school pupils going to school in the car. This is simply not true. Virtually ALL secondary school pupils use the trains (to Hitchin and Hatfield) and the school provided buses (to Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, Hertford, Ware), and public buses. Therefore, the idea that possible secondary school provision could ease the traffic volume is simply inaccurate.
Regarding site KB4, there is an obvious lack of capacity on Watton Road and Swangley's Lane.

Schools:

A second primary school will change the village feel of Knebworth to more of a town, or urban sprawl. It will increase pressure on the roads under on the railway bridges because more people would be crossing the village each morning, in both directions, with young children. It would be naïve to assume that parents would automatically chose the primary school nearest to them, or on their side of the village

The plan is not positive prepared because it contains significant inaccuracy with regards to secondary schools. The plan (13.192) it states that much of the traffic in the mornings is caused by secondary school pupils going to school in the car. This is simply not true. Virtually ALL secondary school pupils use the trains (to Hitchin and Hatfield) and the school provided buses (to Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, Hertford, Ware), and public buses. Therefore, the idea that possible secondary school provision could ease the traffic volume is simply inaccurate.
It does not seem likely that a secondary school would be built; there is not a shortage of secondary school places in Stevenage and so there would be no reason to provide a secondary school.

Other facilities (doctors, library, pharmacy):
The Plan states that the planning permission has already been granted for a new doctor's surgery and library. This is true, but this is to REPLACE the current doctor's surgery and library; this did not take into account additional population. Therefore, the services provided will not meet the requirements of a village increased by 31% (number of homes).

Green Belt land makes a significant contribution to protecting spaces between towns and maintaining the separate identity of Knebworth as a village. Development of sites KB1 and KB2 will remove the Green Belt buffer between the village and the A1. There will be a loss of countryside and the open landscape setting.

Drainage issues have been raised time and time again. There will be a major capacity issue at Rye Meads Sewage Treatment Works and this has not been addressed. Surface water is already a problem; this will be exacerbated with increased population and households.

A second primary school will change the village feel of Knebworth to more of a town, or urban sprawl. It will increase pressure on the roads under on the railway bridges because more people would be crossing the village each morning, in both directions, with young children. It would be naïve to assume that parents would automatically chose the primary school nearest to them, or on their side of the village. Also not appropriate to build a school next to motorway

Chas Lowe site: This proposal contradicts the retail policy for Knebworth that states development of commercial property should be for mixed used, residential and commercial. The village centre will be changed and this will have an impact. The facilities of Knebworth are designated as a village centre in the retail hierarchy under policy SP4. Therefore, any development of the village centre needs to take this into account

There was no local consultation on this proposed development, not consistent with national guidelines.

Green Belt land makes a significant contribution to protecting spaces between towns and maintaining the separate identity of Knebworth as a village - this area divides Knebworth and Bragbury End

This plan is completely lacking in coherent strategy, and is not positively prepared. The plan fails to connect housing growth to infrastructure development to support sustainable growth. This plan for a 31% increase in dwellings in Knebworth will cause significant transportation issues, coalescence with adjacent settlements and the only infrastructure investment is for a Primary school located next to a motorway!

The original draft of this proposal included approximately 200 fewer homes and met with strong local opposition and legitimate concerns. There is no evidence of any of these concerns (particularly with regards to transport) being addressed in the latest draft, which then added the new sites at KB4 to the east of Knebworth. There has been no local consultation on the site at KB4 which I understand is contrary to national guidance.

The plan is not positively prepared because it circumvents planning policy that developments >500 homes should have their own specific plan. Adjacent sites at KB1 and KB2 are effectively the same development.

The only infrastructure mandated development mandated in this proposal is for an additional Primary School, close to the A1M. This would be adjacent to the A1 and as such noise and air pollution will be significant. In December 2014 the Environmental Audit Committee issued a report stating that: ' A ban on building schools, hospitals, and care homes near air pollution hotspots must be introduced to help cut thousands of deaths connected to the 'invisible killer' of traffic fumes.'

The housing in Knebworth is not justified because it makes no consideration of Planning granted for the Odyssey site to the north of Knebworth for approx. 70-100 homes. A clear strategy should take these into account, instead of terming these 'windfall' gains.

The plan is not justified because Stevenage West land has already been reserved for 3,100 homes. This would be better able to provide facilities and services.

The plan is not effective because there is no joined up thinking with adjacent parishes. Plans for Woolmer Green of 150 homes (to the north of Woolmer Green) have not been taken into account. If all the proposals go ahead then Knebworth and Woolmer Green will merge and Stevenage and Knebworth would be practically joined up. The town and villages will all merge into one. Significant risk of coalescence

Chas Lowe site: This proposal contradicts the retail policy for Knebworth that states development of commercial property should be for mixed used, residential and commercial. The village centre will be changed and this will have an impact. The facilities of Knebworth are designated as a village centre in the retail hierarchy under policy SP4. Therefore, any development of the village centre needs to take this into account

Green Belt:
Green Belt land makes a significant contribution to protecting spaces between towns and maintaining the separate identity of Knebworth as a village. Development of sites KB1 and KB2 will remove the Green Belt buffer between the village and the A1. There will be a loss of countryside and the open landscape setting.
Drainage issues:
Drainage issues have been raised time and time again. There will be a major capacity issue at Rye Meads Sewage Treatment Works and this has not been addressed. Surface water is already a problem; this will be exacerbated with increased population and households.

Transport:
It was raised in the previous consultation in 2014 that the existence of the railway line poses huge challenges regarding transport / traffic through the village. These challenges have not been addressed in this plan; in fact, the Plan says (13.195) that there are no mitigation requirements regarding transport. In fact, the Highways Agency has raised this issue previously. The problem with the bridges has been ignored. The two railway bridges at either end of the village are already dangerous due to the current volume of traffic, narrow roads, corners, and narrow pavements. An increase in volume of traffic and pedestrians will make this increasingly dangerous. It is a common occurrence for pedestrians to be "clipped" by wing mirrors of cars passing under the bridges. There have already been many near misses. These two routes are used extensively by small children going to and from school, in the morning rush hour. An increase of 31% of this scale can only add to the problems.
The high street is also a known pinch point; it current takes over 35 minutes to reach junction 6 of the A1 in rush hour, which is only 2 miles away. Increased traffic will only exacerbate this).
Deard's End Lane is already dangerous, and it can't be widened. It is unsuitable for heavy traffic and increased traffic will make it more dangerous and over crowded.
In the Plan (13.192) it states that much of the traffic in the mornings is caused by secondary school pupils going to school in the car. This is simply not true. Virtually ALL secondary school pupils use the trains (to Hitchin and Hatfield) and the school provided buses (to Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, Hertford, Ware), and public buses. Therefore, the idea that possible secondary school provision could ease the traffic volume is simply inaccurate.
Regarding site KB4, there is an obvious lack of capacity on Watton Road and Swangley's Lane.

Schools:

A second primary school will change the village feel of Knebworth to more of a town, or urban sprawl. It will increase pressure on the roads under on the railway bridges because more people would be crossing the village each morning, in both directions, with young children. It would be naïve to assume that parents would automatically chose the primary school nearest to them, or on their side of the village

The plan is not positive prepared because it contains significant inaccuracy with regards to secondary schools. The plan (13.192) it states that much of the traffic in the mornings is caused by secondary school pupils going to school in the car. This is simply not true. Virtually ALL secondary school pupils use the trains (to Hitchin and Hatfield) and the school provided buses (to Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, Hertford, Ware), and public buses. Therefore, the idea that possible secondary school provision could ease the traffic volume is simply inaccurate.
It does not seem likely that a secondary school would be built; there is not a shortage of secondary school places in Stevenage and so there would be no reason to provide a secondary school.

Other facilities (doctors, library, pharmacy):
The Plan states that the planning permission has already been granted for a new doctor's surgery and library. This is true, but this is to REPLACE the current doctor's surgery and library; this did not take into account additional population. Therefore, the services provided will not meet the requirements of a village increased by 31% (number of homes).

This plan is completely lacking in coherent strategy, and is not positively prepared. The plan fails to connect housing growth to infrastructure development to support sustainable growth. This plan for a 31% increase in dwellings in Knebworth will cause significant transportation issues, coalescence with adjacent settlements and the only infrastructure investment is for a Primary school located next to a motorway!

The original draft of this proposal included approximately 200 fewer homes and met with strong local opposition and legitimate concerns. There is no evidence of any of these concerns (particularly with regards to transport) being addressed in the latest draft, which then added the new sites at KB4 to the east of Knebworth. There has been no local consultation on the site at KB4 which I understand is contrary to national guidance.

The plan is not positively prepared because it circumvents planning policy that developments >500 homes should have their own specific plan. Adjacent sites at KB1 and KB2 are effectively the same development.

The only infrastructure mandated development mandated in this proposal is for an additional Primary School, close to the A1M. This would be adjacent to the A1 and as such noise and air pollution will be significant. In December 2014 the Environmental Audit Committee issued a report stating that: ' A ban on building schools, hospitals, and care homes near air pollution hotspots must be introduced to help cut thousands of deaths connected to the 'invisible killer' of traffic fumes.'

The housing in Knebworth is not justified because it makes no consideration of Planning granted for the Odyssey site to the north of Knebworth for approx. 70-100 homes. A clear strategy should take these into account, instead of terming these 'windfall' gains.

The plan is not justified because Stevenage West land has already been reserved for 3,100 homes. This would be better able to provide facilities and services.

The plan is not effective because there is no joined up thinking with adjacent parishes. Plans for Woolmer Green of 150 homes (to the north of Woolmer Green) have not been taken into account. If all the proposals go ahead then Knebworth and Woolmer Green will merge and Stevenage and Knebworth would be practically joined up. The town and villages will all merge into one. Significant risk of coalescence

Chas Lowe site: This proposal contradicts the retail policy for Knebworth that states development of commercial property should be for mixed used, residential and commercial. The village centre will be changed and this will have an impact. The facilities of Knebworth are designated as a village centre in the retail hierarchy under policy SP4. Therefore, any development of the village centre needs to take this into account

Green Belt:
Green Belt land makes a significant contribution to protecting spaces between towns and maintaining the separate identity of Knebworth as a village. Development of sites KB1 and KB2 will remove the Green Belt buffer between the village and the A1. There will be a loss of countryside and the open landscape setting.
Drainage issues:
Drainage issues have been raised time and time again. There will be a major capacity issue at Rye Meads Sewage Treatment Works and this has not been addressed. Surface water is already a problem; this will be exacerbated with increased population and households.

Transport:
It was raised in the previous consultation in 2014 that the existence of the railway line poses huge challenges regarding transport / traffic through the village. These challenges have not been addressed in this plan; in fact, the Plan says (13.195) that there are no mitigation requirements regarding transport. In fact, the Highways Agency has raised this issue previously. The problem with the bridges has been ignored. The two railway bridges at either end of the village are already dangerous due to the current volume of traffic, narrow roads, corners, and narrow pavements. An increase in volume of traffic and pedestrians will make this increasingly dangerous. It is a common occurrence for pedestrians to be "clipped" by wing mirrors of cars passing under the bridges. There have already been many near misses. These two routes are used extensively by small children going to and from school, in the morning rush hour. An increase of 31% of this scale can only add to the problems.
The high street is also a known pinch point; it current takes over 35 minutes to reach junction 6 of the A1 in rush hour, which is only 2 miles away. Increased traffic will only exacerbate this).
Deard's End Lane is already dangerous, and it can't be widened. It is unsuitable for heavy traffic and increased traffic will make it more dangerous and over crowded.
In the Plan (13.192) it states that much of the traffic in the mornings is caused by secondary school pupils going to school in the car. This is simply not true. Virtually ALL secondary school pupils use the trains (to Hitchin and Hatfield) and the school provided buses (to Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, Hertford, Ware), and public buses. Therefore, the idea that possible secondary school provision could ease the traffic volume is simply inaccurate.
Regarding site KB4, there is an obvious lack of capacity on Watton Road and Swangley's Lane.

Schools:

A second primary school will change the village feel of Knebworth to more of a town, or urban sprawl. It will increase pressure on the roads under on the railway bridges because more people would be crossing the village each morning, in both directions, with young children. It would be naïve to assume that parents would automatically chose the primary school nearest to them, or on their side of the village

The plan is not positive prepared because it contains significant inaccuracy with regards to secondary schools. The plan (13.192) it states that much of the traffic in the mornings is caused by secondary school pupils going to school in the car. This is simply not true. Virtually ALL secondary school pupils use the trains (to Hitchin and Hatfield) and the school provided buses (to Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, Hertford, Ware), and public buses. Therefore, the idea that possible secondary school provision could ease the traffic volume is simply inaccurate.
It does not seem likely that a secondary school would be built; there is not a shortage of secondary school places in Stevenage and so there would be no reason to provide a secondary school.

Other facilities (doctors, library, pharmacy):
The Plan states that the planning permission has already been granted for a new doctor's surgery and library. This is true, but this is to REPLACE the current doctor's surgery and library; this did not take into account additional population. Therefore, the services provided will not meet the requirements of a village increased by 31% (number of homes).

This plan is completely lacking in coherent strategy, and is not positively prepared. The plan fails to connect housing growth to infrastructure development to support sustainable growth. This plan for a 31% increase in dwellings in Knebworth will cause significant transportation issues, coalescence with adjacent settlements and the only infrastructure investment is for a Primary school located next to a motorway!

The original draft of this proposal included approximately 200 fewer homes and met with strong local opposition and legitimate concerns. There is no evidence of any of these concerns (particularly with regards to transport) being addressed in the latest draft, which then added the new sites at KB4 to the east of Knebworth. There has been no local consultation on the site at KB4 which I understand is contrary to national guidance.

The plan is not positively prepared because it circumvents planning policy that developments >500 homes should have their own specific plan. Adjacent sites at KB1 and KB2 are effectively the same development.

The only infrastructure mandated development mandated in this proposal is for an additional Primary School, close to the A1M. This would be adjacent to the A1 and as such noise and air pollution will be significant. In December 2014 the Environmental Audit Committee issued a report stating that: ' A ban on building schools, hospitals, and care homes near air pollution hotspots must be introduced to help cut thousands of deaths connected to the 'invisible killer' of traffic fumes.'

The housing in Knebworth is not justified because it makes no consideration of Planning granted for the Odyssey site to the north of Knebworth for approx. 70-100 homes. A clear strategy should take these into account, instead of terming these 'windfall' gains.

The plan is not justified because Stevenage West land has already been reserved for 3,100 homes. This would be better able to provide facilities and services.

The plan is not effective because there is no joined up thinking with adjacent parishes. Plans for Woolmer Green of 150 homes (to the north of Woolmer Green) have not been taken into account. If all the proposals go ahead then Knebworth and Woolmer Green will merge and Stevenage and Knebworth would be practically joined up. The town and villages will all merge into one. Significant risk of coalescence

Chas Lowe site: This proposal contradicts the retail policy for Knebworth that states development of commercial property should be for mixed used, residential and commercial. The village centre will be changed and this will have an impact. The facilities of Knebworth are designated as a village centre in the retail hierarchy under policy SP4. Therefore, any development of the village centre needs to take this into account

Green Belt:
Green Belt land makes a significant contribution to protecting spaces between towns and maintaining the separate identity of Knebworth as a village. Development of sites KB1 and KB2 will remove the Green Belt buffer between the village and the A1. There will be a loss of countryside and the open landscape setting.
Drainage issues:
Drainage issues have been raised time and time again. There will be a major capacity issue at Rye Meads Sewage Treatment Works and this has not been addressed. Surface water is already a problem; this will be exacerbated with increased population and households.

Transport:
It was raised in the previous consultation in 2014 that the existence of the railway line poses huge challenges regarding transport / traffic through the village. These challenges have not been addressed in this plan; in fact, the Plan says (13.195) that there are no mitigation requirements regarding transport. In fact, the Highways Agency has raised this issue previously. The problem with the bridges has been ignored. The two railway bridges at either end of the village are already dangerous due to the current volume of traffic, narrow roads, corners, and narrow pavements. An increase in volume of traffic and pedestrians will make this increasingly dangerous. It is a common occurrence for pedestrians to be "clipped" by wing mirrors of cars passing under the bridges. There have already been many near misses. These two routes are used extensively by small children going to and from school, in the morning rush hour. An increase of 31% of this scale can only add to the problems.
The high street is also a known pinch point; it current takes over 35 minutes to reach junction 6 of the A1 in rush hour, which is only 2 miles away. Increased traffic will only exacerbate this).
Deard's End Lane is already dangerous, and it can't be widened. It is unsuitable for heavy traffic and increased traffic will make it more dangerous and over crowded.
In the Plan (13.192) it states that much of the traffic in the mornings is caused by secondary school pupils going to school in the car. This is simply not true. Virtually ALL secondary school pupils use the trains (to Hitchin and Hatfield) and the school provided buses (to Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, Hertford, Ware), and public buses. Therefore, the idea that possible secondary school provision could ease the traffic volume is simply inaccurate.
Regarding site KB4, there is an obvious lack of capacity on Watton Road and Swangley's Lane.

Schools:

A second primary school will change the village feel of Knebworth to more of a town, or urban sprawl. It will increase pressure on the roads under on the railway bridges because more people would be crossing the village each morning, in both directions, with young children. It would be naïve to assume that parents would automatically chose the primary school nearest to them, or on their side of the village

The plan is not positive prepared because it contains significant inaccuracy with regards to secondary schools. The plan (13.192) it states that much of the traffic in the mornings is caused by secondary school pupils going to school in the car. This is simply not true. Virtually ALL secondary school pupils use the trains (to Hitchin and Hatfield) and the school provided buses (to Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, Hertford, Ware), and public buses. Therefore, the idea that possible secondary school provision could ease the traffic volume is simply inaccurate.
It does not seem likely that a secondary school would be built; there is not a shortage of secondary school places in Stevenage and so there would be no reason to provide a secondary school.

Other facilities (doctors, library, pharmacy):
The Plan states that the planning permission has already been granted for a new doctor's surgery and library. This is true, but this is to REPLACE the current doctor's surgery and library; this did not take into account additional population. Therefore, the services provided will not meet the requirements of a village increased by 31% (number of homes).

This plan is completely lacking in coherent strategy, and is not positively prepared. The plan fails to connect housing growth to infrastructure development to support sustainable growth. This plan for a 31% increase in dwellings in Knebworth will cause significant transportation issues, coalescence with adjacent settlements and the only infrastructure investment is for a Primary school located next to a motorway!

The original draft of this proposal included approximately 200 fewer homes and met with strong local opposition and legitimate concerns. There is no evidence of any of these concerns (particularly with regards to transport) being addressed in the latest draft, which then added the new sites at KB4 to the east of Knebworth. There has been no local consultation on the site at KB4 which I understand is contrary to national guidance.

The plan is not positively prepared because it circumvents planning policy that developments >500 homes should have their own specific plan. Adjacent sites at KB1 and KB2 are effectively the same development.

The only infrastructure mandated development mandated in this proposal is for an additional Primary School, close to the A1M. This would be adjacent to the A1 and as such noise and air pollution will be significant. In December 2014 the Environmental Audit Committee issued a report stating that: ' A ban on building schools, hospitals, and care homes near air pollution hotspots must be introduced to help cut thousands of deaths connected to the 'invisible killer' of traffic fumes.'

The housing in Knebworth is not justified because it makes no consideration of Planning granted for the Odyssey site to the north of Knebworth for approx. 70-100 homes. A clear strategy should take these into account, instead of terming these 'windfall' gains.

The plan is not justified because Stevenage West land has already been reserved for 3,100 homes. This would be better able to provide facilities and services.

The plan is not effective because there is no joined up thinking with adjacent parishes. Plans for Woolmer Green of 150 homes (to the north of Woolmer Green) have not been taken into account. If all the proposals go ahead then Knebworth and Woolmer Green will merge and Stevenage and Knebworth would be practically joined up. The town and villages will all merge into one. Significant risk of coalescence

Chas Lowe site: This proposal contradicts the retail policy for Knebworth that states development of commercial property should be for mixed used, residential and commercial. The village centre will be changed and this will have an impact. The facilities of Knebworth are designated as a village centre in the retail hierarchy under policy SP4. Therefore, any development of the village centre needs to take this into account

Green Belt:
Green Belt land makes a significant contribution to protecting spaces between towns and maintaining the separate identity of Knebworth as a village. Development of sites KB1 and KB2 will remove the Green Belt buffer between the village and the A1. There will be a loss of countryside and the open landscape setting.
Drainage issues:
Drainage issues have been raised time and time again. There will be a major capacity issue at Rye Meads Sewage Treatment Works and this has not been addressed. Surface water is already a problem; this will be exacerbated with increased population and households.

Transport:
It was raised in the previous consultation in 2014 that the existence of the railway line poses huge challenges regarding transport / traffic through the village. These challenges have not been addressed in this plan; in fact, the Plan says (13.195) that there are no mitigation requirements regarding transport. In fact, the Highways Agency has raised this issue previously. The problem with the bridges has been ignored. The two railway bridges at either end of the village are already dangerous due to the current volume of traffic, narrow roads, corners, and narrow pavements. An increase in volume of traffic and pedestrians will make this increasingly dangerous. It is a common occurrence for pedestrians to be "clipped" by wing mirrors of cars passing under the bridges. There have already been many near misses. These two routes are used extensively by small children going to and from school, in the morning rush hour. An increase of 31% of this scale can only add to the problems.
The high street is also a known pinch point; it current takes over 35 minutes to reach junction 6 of the A1 in rush hour, which is only 2 miles away. Increased traffic will only exacerbate this).
Deard's End Lane is already dangerous, and it can't be widened. It is unsuitable for heavy traffic and increased traffic will make it more dangerous and over crowded.
In the Plan (13.192) it states that much of the traffic in the mornings is caused by secondary school pupils going to school in the car. This is simply not true. Virtually ALL secondary school pupils use the trains (to Hitchin and Hatfield) and the school provided buses (to Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, Hertford, Ware), and public buses. Therefore, the idea that possible secondary school provision could ease the traffic volume is simply inaccurate.
Regarding site KB4, there is an obvious lack of capacity on Watton Road and Swangley's Lane.

Schools:

A second primary school will change the village feel of Knebworth to more of a town, or urban sprawl. It will increase pressure on the roads under on the railway bridges because more people would be crossing the village each morning, in both directions, with young children. It would be naïve to assume that parents would automatically chose the primary school nearest to them, or on their side of the village

The plan is not positive prepared because it contains significant inaccuracy with regards to secondary schools. The plan (13.192) it states that much of the traffic in the mornings is caused by secondary school pupils going to school in the car. This is simply not true. Virtually ALL secondary school pupils use the trains (to Hitchin and Hatfield) and the school provided buses (to Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, Hertford, Ware), and public buses. Therefore, the idea that possible secondary school provision could ease the traffic volume is simply inaccurate.
It does not seem likely that a secondary school would be built; there is not a shortage of secondary school places in Stevenage and so there would be no reason to provide a secondary school.

Other facilities (doctors, library, pharmacy):
The Plan states that the planning permission has already been granted for a new doctor's surgery and library. This is true, but this is to REPLACE the current doctor's surgery and library; this did not take into account additional population. Therefore, the services provided will not meet the requirements of a village increased by 31% (number of homes).

This plan is completely lacking in coherent strategy, and is not positively prepared. The plan fails to connect housing growth to infrastructure development to support sustainable growth. This plan for a 31% increase in dwellings in Knebworth will cause significant transportation issues, coalescence with adjacent settlements and the only infrastructure investment is for a Primary school located next to a motorway!

The original draft of this proposal included approximately 200 fewer homes and met with strong local opposition and legitimate concerns. There is no evidence of any of these concerns (particularly with regards to transport) being addressed in the latest draft, which then added the new sites at KB4 to the east of Knebworth. There has been no local consultation on the site at KB4 which I understand is contrary to national guidance.

The plan is not positively prepared because it circumvents planning policy that developments >500 homes should have their own specific plan. Adjacent sites at KB1 and KB2 are effectively the same development.

The only infrastructure mandated development mandated in this proposal is for an additional Primary School, close to the A1M. This would be adjacent to the A1 and as such noise and air pollution will be significant. In December 2014 the Environmental Audit Committee issued a report stating that: ' A ban on building schools, hospitals, and care homes near air pollution hotspots must be introduced to help cut thousands of deaths connected to the 'invisible killer' of traffic fumes.'

The housing in Knebworth is not justified because it makes no consideration of Planning granted for the Odyssey site to the north of Knebworth for approx. 70-100 homes. A clear strategy should take these into account, instead of terming these 'windfall' gains.

The plan is not justified because Stevenage West land has already been reserved for 3,100 homes. This would be better able to provide facilities and services.

The plan is not effective because there is no joined up thinking with adjacent parishes. Plans for Woolmer Green of 150 homes (to the north of Woolmer Green) have not been taken into account. If all the proposals go ahead then Knebworth and Woolmer Green will merge and Stevenage and Knebworth would be practically joined up. The town and villages will all merge into one. Significant risk of coalescence

Chas Lowe site: This proposal contradicts the retail policy for Knebworth that states development of commercial property should be for mixed used, residential and commercial. The village centre will be changed and this will have an impact. The facilities of Knebworth are designated as a village centre in the retail hierarchy under policy SP4. Therefore, any development of the village centre needs to take this into account

Green Belt:
Green Belt land makes a significant contribution to protecting spaces between towns and maintaining the separate identity of Knebworth as a village. Development of sites KB1 and KB2 will remove the Green Belt buffer between the village and the A1. There will be a loss of countryside and the open landscape setting.
Drainage issues:
Drainage issues have been raised time and time again. There will be a major capacity issue at Rye Meads Sewage Treatment Works and this has not been addressed. Surface water is already a problem; this will be exacerbated with increased population and households.

Transport:
It was raised in the previous consultation in 2014 that the existence of the railway line poses huge challenges regarding transport / traffic through the village. These challenges have not been addressed in this plan; in fact, the Plan says (13.195) that there are no mitigation requirements regarding transport. In fact, the Highways Agency has raised this issue previously. The problem with the bridges has been ignored. The two railway bridges at either end of the village are already dangerous due to the current volume of traffic, narrow roads, corners, and narrow pavements. An increase in volume of traffic and pedestrians will make this increasingly dangerous. It is a common occurrence for pedestrians to be "clipped" by wing mirrors of cars passing under the bridges. There have already been many near misses. These two routes are used extensively by small children going to and from school, in the morning rush hour. An increase of 31% of this scale can only add to the problems.
The high street is also a known pinch point; it current takes over 35 minutes to reach junction 6 of the A1 in rush hour, which is only 2 miles away. Increased traffic will only exacerbate this).
Deard's End Lane is already dangerous, and it can't be widened. It is unsuitable for heavy traffic and increased traffic will make it more dangerous and over crowded.
In the Plan (13.192) it states that much of the traffic in the mornings is caused by secondary school pupils going to school in the car. This is simply not true. Virtually ALL secondary school pupils use the trains (to Hitchin and Hatfield) and the school provided buses (to Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, Hertford, Ware), and public buses. Therefore, the idea that possible secondary school provision could ease the traffic volume is simply inaccurate.
Regarding site KB4, there is an obvious lack of capacity on Watton Road and Swangley's Lane.

Schools:

A second primary school will change the village feel of Knebworth to more of a town, or urban sprawl. It will increase pressure on the roads under on the railway bridges because more people would be crossing the village each morning, in both directions, with young children. It would be naïve to assume that parents would automatically chose the primary school nearest to them, or on their side of the village

The plan is not positive prepared because it contains significant inaccuracy with regards to secondary schools. The plan (13.192) it states that much of the traffic in the mornings is caused by secondary school pupils going to school in the car. This is simply not true. Virtually ALL secondary school pupils use the trains (to Hitchin and Hatfield) and the school provided buses (to Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, Hertford, Ware), and public buses. Therefore, the idea that possible secondary school provision could ease the traffic volume is simply inaccurate.
It does not seem likely that a secondary school would be built; there is not a shortage of secondary school places in Stevenage and so there would be no reason to provide a secondary school.

Other facilities (doctors, library, pharmacy):
The Plan states that the planning permission has already been granted for a new doctor's surgery and library. This is true, but this is to REPLACE the current doctor's surgery and library; this did not take into account additional population. Therefore, the services provided will not meet the requirements of a village increased by 31% (number of homes).