Issue - meetings
25/02999/HYA Redwood, Deards End Lane, Knebworth, Hertfordshire, SG3 6NL
Meeting: 12/03/2026 - Planning Control Committee (Item 143)
143 25/02999/HYA REDWOOD, DEARDS END LANE, KNEBWORTH, HERTFORDSHIRE, SG3 6NL 
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REPORT OF THE
DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER
Hybrid application for one 5-bed dwelling with detached garage
following demolition of existing dwelling and outline application
for the erection of 8 dwellings (all matters reserved except for
access).
Additional documents:
Decision:
RESOLVED: That application 25/02999/HYA be REFUSED planning permission for the reasons set out in the report of the Development and Conservation manager.
Minutes:
Audio recording – 6 minutes 24 seconds
The Principal Planning Officer (Development Management) presented the report in respect of Application 25/02999/HYA accompanied by a visual presentation consisting of plans and photographs.
The Chair invited the first Public Objector, Alex Mitchell to speak against the application. Mr Mitchell thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, and highlighted the following:
· The demolition of the existing building and subsequent building of the new houses would cause harm to the local environment.
· The density and form of the proposed development was inconsistent with the requirements of the Knebworth Masterplan KB1.
· There was not sufficient justification to cause harm to the Conservation Area to facilitate access to 8 new dwellings by construction of a new road.
· Deards End Lane was already avoided by pedestrians as it was felt to be unsafe to walk along.
· The new link road would not be safe for use by either pedestrians or cyclists and any visibility would rely entirely on the removal of a hedge.
· This application did not comply with either the Local Plan or Knebworth Neighbourhood Plan policies and specifically for the Knebworth Masterplan KB1.
· This application should therefore be refused.
There were no points of clarification from Members.
The Chair thanked Mr Mitchell for his presentation and invited the second Public Objector Parish Councillor Roger Willcox to speak against the application. Mr Willcox thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, and highlighted the following:
· Knebworth Parish Council objected to this application as it did not meet policy requirements.
· The application did not comply with the requirement of the Knebworth Neighbourhood Plan Policy that densities should respect site boundaries, trees and hedgerows, existing properties and the character of surrounding areas.
· There was not a safe pedestrian walking route from the site as there was no pavement on that side of the road.
· The houses planned at the rear of any development should be integrated within the masterplan.
· The Knebworth Neighbourhood Plan policy stated that the site should be developed at densities that respected the local character and Knebworth Garden Village Context.
· The proposed 8 new homes on the site would result in greater plot densities than homes adjacent in the Conservation Area.
· Harm from this development outweighed any benefit from the new homes and this application should be refused.
There were no points of clarification from Members.
The Chair thanked Mr Willcox for his presentation and invited the Member Advocate Objector, Councillor Paul Ward to speak against the application. Councillor Ward thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, and highlighted the following:
· He was speaking this evening as a resident and also as a Ward Councillor for Knebworth.
· Deards End Lane was an old rural road with no pavements.
· Granting permission to this development would cause harm to the local Conservation Area.
· This application did not comply with the Local Plan and Knebworth Neighbourhood Plan policies, ... view the full minutes text for item 143