In order to maintain its long standing links with the community of Knebworth, Chas Lowes Builders Merchants are searching for a new site that keeps the business associated with Knebworth Village.

The options are limited, as the business requires direct access to the B197 and enough space for its delivery vehicles to pull off the road and into its site.

There does not appear to be an option to the north of Knebworth village - without the business moving to Stevenage, which would mean the businesses of Knebworth High Street losing the valuable trade associated with Lowes, as a popular destination.

To the south of the Knebworth Village, adjoining Woolmer Green's business district, is a site that would be perfect for Lowes' needs, and would share the benefits of its trade with our neighbours Woolmer Green. Woolmer Green's recent Parish Plan, like Knebworth's, expresses a concern about its community losing its shops and services and becoming increasingly a dormitory.

The problem with the Woolmer Green site is that it is currently designated, like all the fields surrounding Knebworth and Woolmer Green, as Greenbelt - and therefore not acceptable for development - however, if the commuinity was to support this proposal, the local authorities might be minded to redesignate the proposed site as part of the upcoming Local Development Framework, or even under the "very special circumstances" exception clause within Greenbelt policy.

As well as adding to the vibracy of their community, shops and services, the residents of Woolmer Green would also benefit from a decongested Knebworth High Street and, possibly, the retention of Knebworth's Doctors Surgery.