Datchworth Parish Council

Datchworth Parish Council Serving the communities of Datchworth, Bulls Green, Burnham Green and Hooks Cross

20/12/2025

An update on Swangleys Lane and new housing development.

A planning application for up to 200 new homes on land at Swangleys Lane/Watton Road, Knebworth, was considered at the North Hertfordshire District Council planning committee meeting in Letchworth on 18th December. Datchworth Parish Council, along with a number of local residents had raised strong written objection. The Parish Council also spoke at the meeting in an attempt to influence the decision towards refusal based on the adverse impact on Datchworth residents of closing Swangleys Lane to through traffic and the likelihood of additional vehicle trips generated by the new housing estate using the Datchworth route. However, outline planning permission was granted by a vote of 9-1.

Retractable bollards are shown to be introduced at the Swangleys Lane/Old Lane junction (immediately before Knebworth Primary School) for use by emergency vehicles only, with ‘through’ traffic diverted via a new estate road leading all traffic to Watton Road. Journeys by car to Knebworth High Street/post office/pharmacy/doctors, etc, by Datchworth residents will then be more tortuous.

Whilst outline planning permission has been granted, this is subject to finalisation of a legal agreement between the developer and North Hertfordshire Council, and also subject to approval of detailed matters (e.g. discharge of planning conditions). It is therefore unlikely that site work will commence for at least 12 months if not considerably longer.

This new development is one of three large sites on the fringes of Knebworth which are shown in the North Hertfordshire Local Plan for new housing development, the other two being on the western side of the settlement. Overall, the three sites are likely to increase the village resident population by roughly one-third, placing a heavy strain on local infrastructure.

In addition, Stevenage Borough Council is currently considering a planning application submission for between 475-500 new homes on the northern boundary of Datchworth Parish near Bragbury End. The site lies between The Chequers p.h. and the Three Horseshoes p.h. along the Hertford Road. Datchworth Parish Council has submitted objection on various grounds.

I am happy to provide more information and my contact details can be found under ‘Contacts’ at the back of the magazine.

Dean Goodman, Datchworth Parish Councillor.

23/10/2025

Datchworth Green Car Park Update
Work on the car park has progressed steadily over the past two months - starting with clearing the site, laying drainage and electric cables and laying tarmac. More recently, lighting posts and lighting have been installed as well as infrastructure for some EV charging points. In the next couple of weeks we should be able to install fencing, bicycle racks and EV charging points, mark up the car park with white lines and begin landscaping. There will however be some delay in completing the entrance with a dropped kerb. Despite lodging the application with Highways in May the process has been much slower than expected and there are still some matters outstanding. We hope these will be resolved soon, but are unable to give a date for completion at the present time. This is of course frustrating for all of us. We will update again when we have more definite information.

02/10/2025
23/09/2025

CPR/AED Awareness Course Tuesday, 23rd September 2025/in General /by Clerk Free session provided by Datchworth Parish Council Use of an AED/Defibrillator & CPR FREE demonstration Thursday 25th September 7pm-8pm Datchworth Village Hall Come along and see how the village AED’s work and practice CPR ...

For 3 to 4 weeks starting w/c 11/8/25, large lorries will be entering and leaving the Datchworth Green Car Park construc...
12/08/2025

For 3 to 4 weeks starting w/c 11/8/25, large lorries will be entering and leaving the Datchworth Green Car Park construction site (previously the Plough Pub Car Park).
To assist with safe entry and exit, their movements will be overseen by contractor’s marshals.
It is important that we maintain clear visibility and a lorry turning area. Therefore, the contractor working for Datchworth Parish Council will cone off the areas marked orange on the plan below.
PLEASE ASSIST BY NOT PARKING IN THE ORANGE MARKED AREAS DURING NORMAL WORKING HOURS IF THEY ARE CONED OFF.
If you need to park when the cones are in place, please park in the areas marked green on the south side of Datchworth Green. This will assist in maintaining visibility both ways from the site entrance. THANK YOU.
Andy Short – Clerk – Datchworth Parish Council

https://datchworth-pc.gov.uk/general/datchworth-green-car-park
22/07/2025

https://datchworth-pc.gov.uk/general/datchworth-green-car-park

Datchworth Green Car Park update Tuesday, 22nd July 2025/in General /by Clerk We are finally able to let you know that work to revamp the car park opposite The Plough is scheduled to start week commencing 4 August 2025, and is expected to take about 4-5 weeks. The principal contractor will be John C...

A lovely village event. 850 years of Datchworth Church, celebrating all the various village groups.
06/07/2025

A lovely village event. 850 years of Datchworth Church, celebrating all the various village groups.

All, recieved from East Herts this week.
08/06/2025

All, recieved from East Herts this week.

Address

C/O Datchworth Village Hall
Datchworth
SG36TL

Telephone

+447938743424

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