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.
