Introduction
Delivering new infrastructure, open space and housing that meets local needs
Knebworth has had a unique story to inform and influence the evolution to what makes Knebworth the place it is today. The villages of Old Knebworth and Knebworth have evolved through arrival of modern transport infrastructure, specifically the coming of the railway in 1850, with the station at Knebworth arriving in 1884 and the A1(M) motorway in the 1960s.
North Herts District Council Local Plan 2011-2036 (adopted November 2022) has allocated land at Deards End Lane and land off Gipsy Lane (KB1 and KB2) for new homes, land for a new school and associated infrastructure to help meet housing and education needs and deliver publicly accessible green open space for all.
The design of the development has taken into consideration key aspects of surrounding Garden Villages that has informed the layout, proposed house types, parking standards and landscaping and we would like your thoughts and comments on how to help further the design of the Strategic Masterplan before this is considered by the Council.
Our goal is to preserve Knebworth’s natural beauty and historical charm while meeting modern housing needs by knitting in the new developments with the existing community in a sustainable manner. Policies in the North Hertfordshire Local Plan ensure that new developments align with sustainable growth principles, balancing environmental constraints with community benefits.
Have your say
We want to hear from the community
Proposals
A forward-thinking approach to community
High quality homes and affordable housing, land for a new school, and extensive natural green spaces for wellbeing – explore the proposals for this community-focused development.
Timeline
How will the project move forward
December 2024 / January 2025
Consultation on initial proposals.
Spring 2025
Knebworth (KB1 and KB2) Strategic Masterplan to be considered by the Council.
Spring / Summer 2025
Current anticipated council determination of Strategic Masterplan.
History
The story so far…
Knebworth has a rich culture of Garden Village principles, and the design seeks to reflect the character of Knebworth to ensure that this is a prominent feature of the new neighbourhoods created through KB1 and KB2.
FAQs
Your key questions answered
What is a Strategic Masterplan
To ensure the delivery of well-designed quality places that meet local needs, North Herts District Council is committed to a rigorously tested Strategic Masterplanning Process for strategic sites.
The Strategic Masterplan, amongst other things, seeks to achieve the following outcomes:
- The broad distribution of development across the site.
- Setting out the spatial vision early on including links and relationships with existing homes and infrastructure.
- Consultation and involvement with the community.
- Design principles for new buildings and spaces.
As a result, we have set out the framework of the Masterplan Area early on and this includes the links and relationships with existing homes and infrastructure immediately surrounding the site.
About the project team
Countryside Partnerships part of the Vistry Group
Countryside Partnerships pride themselves on creating places where people love to live, with sustainable communities built to last.
They are committed to providing quality homes and creating the best experience for their customers through excellent service, receiving the Home Builders Federation five-star rating again for 2024 following the industry’s customer satisfaction survey results.
Countryside Partnerships has a flexible attitude towards land acquisitions, which has earned them a reputation for understanding the needs of the local environment, communities and authorities.
Where a development will have significant economic and social impact on a community, Countryside Partnerships carries out community planning events, followed by discussions with the authorities, in order to produce workable schemes that reflect the visions of the local residents.
For more information about Countryside’s approach to land, visit their group website: www.countrysidehomes.com