August update: KB4 deferment, recycling, hedges

Deferment of site KB4 is an opportunity to re-plan for growth strategically

The District Council’s current Local Plan has three large sites for new homes allocated in Knebworth. Two are to the west of the main village (KB1, KB2) and one to the east (KB4). An outline planning application for KB4 was deferred in July on the basis of concerns regarding closing Swangleys Lane and an update needed on the traffic management approach and data. We will both continue work with residents where we believe there are issues with applications or they are inappropriate for our community.

Whilst we recognise the pressing need for new houses there are issues with the proposed access solutions for all these sites and their cumulative impact on the village. We also need to be planning and designing for the long-term future of Knebworth. The next version of the district’s Local Plan beyond 2031 is being worked on right now and will likely result in even more housing proposals emerging soon for around the edges of the main village, in addition to KB1,2 and 4. 

The existing transport policies prefer developments to be bolted onto existing roads with single access points. We believe that this is not appropriate for Knebworth as it will create even more bottleneck issues for the centre of the village and the lives of our residents, without alternatives being considered such as alternative local access roads around the sites to address use of existing historic inadequate lanes and conservation area impacts to Stockens Green and Deards End Lane. However we do not want to encourage even more through traffic on the B197.

We believe that the current proposed developments and potential future ones provide an opportunity and money to help improve infrastructure for walking and cycling locally but also tacking historic road issues for vehicles. But they need to be designed for that.

What can be done? We are both working actively with the Parish Council, our County Councillor, our MP, the land owners and relevant departments to promote a discussion about how the long term needs of a growing and sustainable community are met, particularly on transport issues. 

Recycling changes are now in place, please report any issues

As we’ve previously written, a new bin collection service started on 4^th August to expand the range of home recycling and work to a new collection cycle.

• A new three-weekly collection rota has been for mixed recycling (grey), cardboard / paper (new blue lid) and non-recyclable (purple) waste.
• If you pay for the garden waste (brown bin) service, this should remain the same with fortnightly collections on Tuesdays.
• Food caddy collection is on Wednesdays.

We’ve spoken with the Waste team to confirm that the collection pattern is different in various parts of Knebworth. This means that not all streets have the same colour bins collected each week. Individual residents should have had a letter before August explaining what their specific collection cycle was. You can also check using the Horth Herts website at this address:

https://www.north-herts.gov.uk/find-your-bin-collection-day

All the new bins (black with a blue lid) and stickers for grey mixed recycling bins should have been delivered before 4^th August. 

We are aware that there are a few residents and businesses having some problems. If you have any issues such as missing bins, missing collections or additional needs, please get in touch with the Council in the first instance as soon as possible to report and fix the issues.

If you’re still having trouble please contact us and we will try and help escalate.

Some hedges are overgrown onto pavements, owners please cut them back

It’s the summer and of course we see lots of lovely greenery around the parish including on our village streets. However sometimes foliage and bushes become overgrown, and this creates a hazard for pedestrians using pavements as well as mobility scooters, push chairs etc. Please can home owners keep them trimmed back.

Councillors’ surgery

The sessions in the Parish Centre on the third Saturday of each month – next one is 20^th September 10am-12pm. Please come and talk to us about any issues you have with council services. You can contact either Lisa or Paul at team.knebworth@gmail.com or at our district councillor contacts below.