Planning Applications
A key part of the work of the Cycling UK Stevenage campaign group is to review Planning Applications and make submissions to the consulation process.
Objections are entirely focused on cycling and active travel - usually about access, links and cycle parking provision. By submitting comments as objections, we may have the opportunity to speak directly to the Planning Committee.
Making comments on planning proposals is also a really effective way for individuals to get involved. All information about Planning can be found on the Stevenage Borough Council website - Link
Logistics Warehouse - Wedgewood Way
This is the same site as had previously been proposed for Morrisons.
We submitted a comment addressing the fact that Wedgewood Way does not have any cycleway infrastructure and the new warehouse will generate more traffic. Jill spoke on behalf of Cycling UK to the planning committee when planning permission was granted - see article in The Comet here.
Change of Use for Next to move to Roaring Meg
Comment submitted is here. See also campaign work on Roaring Meg - Cycling and Walking Access
2 Pound Avenue - conversion to flats
Comments submitted re cycle parking provision
York Road - conversion to HMO
Comments submitted re cycle parking provision
15 Buckthorn Avenue - conversion to HMO
Comments submitted re cycle parking provision which provided only vertical spaces where cycles needed to be hung. The application was approved by officers but we have subsequently had assurance that, in accordance with the SBC Parking Supplementary Planning Document, this type of cycle parking will not be accepted in the future.
Land South of Watton Road Knebworth - 200 homes
Cycling UK Stevenage have submitted a comment to raise concerns about increased traffic along Watton Road.
Active Travel England - a statutory consultee on developments of this size - have also asked for a deferral - link
Elm Green Pastures Lanterns Lane - change of use to Archery Ranges
Cycling UK have submitted a comment to raise concerns about cycle access, parking and increased traffic along Lanterns Lane.
HCC Highways have also raised concerns - link
Morrisons - Wedgewood Way
The Morrisons development went to SBC Planning Committee in May 2023
Cycling UK made comments at the meeting with reference to section 7.5 of the Planning Report presented.
We acknowledged that points in our original Cycling UK submission in May 2022 had been addressed, especially welcoming the new shared use cycleway on Wedgwood Way linking the site to the main cycleway network at Martins Way.
We expressed concern 3 aspects of the revised proposals:
- There is no safe route across the car park, cyclists have to join traffic at the access point on Wedgwood Way.
- The staff cycle parking lockers are tucked away in a secluded area behind the adjacent small commercial unit.
- Residents of the Valerian Way, White Way and new Gresley Park estates cycling to work or shop will have to share the main road carriageway for the final 650 metres of Gresley Way which does not have a cycleway. We made reference to the Cycling UK "Complete the Gresley Way Cycleway" petition which at the time of the meeting had 752 signatures.
Outcome
Planning permission was granted but the final details of cycle parking will still be sought by further planning permissions. See also Comet report on Planning Meeting outcome.
The Planning Officer noted that additional CIL funding for local infrastructure projects would become available. Improvements on Gresley Way could be considered for that.
Cycling UK will continue to campaign with HCC and SBC for the Gresley Way cycleway - please sign and share the Gresley Way Cycleway petition.
Go back to Stevenage Cycling Campaign - Cycling UK