Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

This site currently increases footfall in the village which benefits the village retail shops, cafes and pub. The change of use as planned will have a detrimental effect on the local economy and and local employment opportunities.

Employment opportunities will be reduced by the closure of the Chas lowe site. The village has already lost its remaining bank within the last year.

There has been no engagement with Knebworth residents on this aspect since the previous iteration of the plan.

The number of homes proposed in the latest version of the plan is considerably greater than the previous version of the plan which was out for consultation in 2014/15- 663 v 433 a 53% increase. The total number of homes will increase by 31% compared to circa 20% in the earlier version. NHDC have failed to provide details of the of the rationale behind the increase.

The current proposals involve building on Green Belt which currently contributes significantly to the local environment and the semi rural character of the village. This is contrary to Government policy.

There are already significant traffic management/transport issues that need to resolved regardless of any new housing development in the village namely:

a) Parking on both sides of London Road in the village centre (a bus route) see photo

b) The 3 narrow railway bridges in the village on blind bends, two of which have pavements of inadequate width see photos

All of the above create congestion and safety issues

c) inadequate car parking for Knebworth station.

The Technical Note Odyssey Markides prepared for NHDC in September 2016 does not give any detail on proposed mitigation for Knebworth's traffic problems.

There is no strategy for improving or maintaining employment opportunities in Knebworth. The closure of the Chas Lowe site and its replacement by housing is the complete opposite.

Employment opportunities will be reduced by the closure of the Chas lowe site. The village has already lost its remaining bank within the last year.

There has been no engagement with Knebworth residents on this aspect since the previous iteration of the plan.

The plan does nothing to fulfill the objective of this policy for Knebworth, despite the village being referenced in the policy.

There has been no engagement with village residents on this matter.

This development will entail the removal of land from the Green Belt. A school is proposed on land adjacent to the A1M which is soon to be widened. The site is unsuitable due to its proximity to the motorway and the attendant noise and air pollution.

The narrow railway bridge on Gun Lane is unsuitable for additional traffic and is hazardous for pedestrians at peak times due to the narrow footpath. see photo

Gipsy lane itself will face increased congestion at peak times - see photos

This development increases the risk of uninterrupted housing between Knebworth and Stevenage

The development will impact on the open landscape and remove and area of productive agricultural land.

Watton Road and Swangley's Lane are both very narrow and will be unable to cope with the increased traffic flows.

The suggested housing mix, 60% 3 bedrooms plus and 40% plus is surprising, bearing in mind young couples and singles are struggling to find starter homes and with an ageing population older couples and singles not needing assisted lining looking to downsize will be competing for the same housing. If the more smaller homes were built this

I Fully support this recommendation.

As more people live longer with advances in medical care etc. it will be essential to continually review forecasts for the the types of accommodation and placements required to ensure needs are met. It is also important that there are controls to prevent no oversupply of places.