Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

One of the main objectives of Green Belts is to prevent the merging of settlements. Any expansion to the east (or indeed north) of Knebworth would impinge upon the already very small separation between Knebworth and Stevenage. In this case, KB4, the area of Stevenage would be Bragbury End.
Secondly there is the question of road access. Although I can find no reference to this thus far, There appears to be only one reasonable route: from Watton Road. To use Oakfields Road at the north end of the proposed site would both ruin the character of the road and also cause huge problems at the junction with the B197. To use Haygarth at the south end would similarly destroy the character of that road and add to the already chaotic traffic problems through the village. Should the development proceed then Watton Road would surely have to be widened, maybe even straightened, and again the issues of traffic at the Knebworth end must be addressed. Furthermore the problems caused during the construction period would be massive.
Although some issues concerning the village infrastructure are mentioned (eg school provision) long-standing problems with provision of medical and dental services, drainage and again traffic remain.