Welcome to the community engagement for the potential development of
Swangleys Green, land off Watton Road, Knebworth.
As part of the local plan preparation process, the Council has
determined that the site is an appropriate location to meet housing
needs.
This interactive website will guide you through our current
proposals. At the end of the presentation you will be able to
provide feedback by filling out the online survey.
Your views matter to us. By providing feedback we will be able to consider any necessary changes to our scheme whilst at this important design stage.
The initial consultation is now closed.
Look out for gold highlighted text like this - it will indicate interactive features on the map.
 | Swangleys Green, land off Watton Road |
The site is located on the eastern side of Knebworth and forms part
of the land allocated for development in North Hertfordshire’s emerging
Local Plan.
The allocation policy expects around 200 homes. This consultation
refers to our proposals to deliver these new homes
Our application will be made in Outline, the first step in
the application process, allowing a decision to be made on the
general principles of how a site could be developed. We will
also be seeking permission for the access arrangements.
If approved, there will be conditions that require further
‘reserved matters’ applications to be submitted and approved later.
However, we have spent substantial time considering how the
proposals could look and this is explained in more detail in the
sections below.
| The site |
Knebworth is a sustainable village with an enviable history, located
directly south of Stevenage.
It is highly accessible, with a number of other villages and towns
located close by. Residents can also use the railway station to
travel further afield including to London and Cambridge.
The village itself benefits from a range of services and facilities
that would all be within walking distance from the site. These include
Knebworth Primary & Nursery School, Lloyds Pharmacy, the Post
Office, the Co-op plus many other shops along the London Road high
street, including the award-winning Trussells Butchers.
Zoom in and click on the map markers to find out more about the local facilities.
| The site | |
| Local bus routes | |
 | Bus stops |
| Rail routes | |
| Existing footpath | |
| Existing bridleway | |
 | Local facilities* |
 | Main vehicular site entrances (proposed) |
* Estimated walking times are from the two main proposed site entrances on Watton Road and at the junction of Swangleys Lane and Old Lane, as indicated in the coming chapter Considered Design.
In response to population growth in the early 1900s, Lord Lytton
promoted Knebworth as a Garden Village in 1912.
As illustrated by Sir Edwin Lutyens on the original Knebworth Estate
General Plan above, the site was part of that wider design for
Knebworth, which was only ever partially realised.
Knebworth Parish Council’s draft Neighbourhood Plan actively supports
the value of this Garden Village heritage, stating “…the spirit and
intention of the [Lutyens Garden Village] plan was sound and still
relevant today... New developments, including new build properties…
should be appropriate to their context in a Garden Village”.
Our proposals seek to acknowledge Lutyens’ design and other Garden
Village principles. By balancing Knebworth’s existing heritage with
a design that also fully incorporates the needs of modern life, our
aim is to produce a well-designed and attractive new development for
Knebworth.
Click the map markers to find out more about Lutyens' intended plan for Knebworth.
| The site | |
 | Lutyens' intended plan |
Our vision is to create a high quality, design-focused housing
scheme, that embodies garden village principles and has the potential
to deliver wider benefits to the existing community.
To respect the existing character of Knebworth, our scheme focuses on
simplicity and legibility, encompassing well proportioned buildings
and spaces leading to a high quality residential design.
Our designs are also strongly influenced by Garden Village
principles – an important part of Britain’s urban history, which
have been used to shape a range of attractive communities around the
country and in Hertfordshire in particular. These design principles
can be seen today in Knebworth’s attractive conservation areas such
as Stockens Green and Oakfields Road.
Further information on Garden Villages can be
found here in the Town and Country Planning Association's publication Understanding Garden Villages.Click the map markers to read some of the potential features and benefits of the development to Knebworth.
| The site | |
| Potential features and benefits of the development |
Folly Island Allotment, Hertford.
Future development at Knebworth offers the exciting opportunity to
create an attractive and high-quality residential development that
provides a mix of housing to meet local needs.
The Proposals will give key consideration to the local character of
Knebworth – selectively incorporating design elements that are
sympathetic to its history and to its character. For example, we
have used tree lined avenues and wide verges to achieve an overall
sense of spaciousness.
Our plans will also dedicate around 5 hectares to newly accessible
open space. This will include new landscaping and a new central
green that will act as a focal point within the development. There
will also be new footpaths with cycleways, recreational routes and
other green spaces for all residents to enjoy.
Where necessary, financial contributions will be made to fund
improvements to local services and infrastructure where these are
needed to accommodate the new homes.
Click the map markers to find out more about the proposed design.
| The site | |
 | Illustrative housing layout |
| Proposed road network | |
 | Illustrative images of the proposals |
Thank you for taking the time to read more about these emerging
plans for Swangleys Green, land off Watton Road.
Remember, these plans are not final. We want your help to provide
feedback on our ideas.
We encourage you to answer
The initial consultation is now closed - but comments and suggestions are still welcome.
Please click the map markers to answer a short survey on our proposals and to leave any other general feedback.
| The site | |
| Illustrative housing layout |
| Proposed road network | |
 | Surveys |
An
Engaged Space community engagement on behalf of Gladman.
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