Question 2

Do you have any comments on the draft vision? If you think that it can be improved, please tell us how We believe that there is a need to specifically refer to and protect the Borough’s main asset, the River Great Ouse and the Great Ouse Valley , in the vision given it traverses the landscape creating beautiful landscape views and is a haven for wildlife, particularly given climate change challenges and solutions are likely to be centred around the river. There is also no mention of improved road infrastructure in the north of the Borough which at the moment is served only by the A6. This is a totally inadequate road and cannot cope with the amount of development currently envisaged in the north of the Borough. In addition, little consideration has been given to the safety and environmental impacts on the communities that live astride the A6. This is particularly important for Milton Ernest. It is essential that traffic generation is not thought of solely in terms of road capacity and convenience for road users - the needs of residents must be given at least an equal priority There is also current or proposed rail infrastructure available for the area so this would mean that car-based commuter options are the only viable option for the area. The villages in the north of the Borough already suffer from ‘rat-running’ by drivers either travelling into Bedford town for access schools/station or to reach main arterial road networks leading to other areas. The A6 already cannot cope with the amount of traffic travelling into Bedford or on to the Great Ouse Way. We could not support the development of any of the large developments proposed in the document along the A6 corridor.

We believe that there is a need to specifically refer to and protect the Borough’s main asset, the River Great Ouse and the Great Ouse Valley , in the vision given it traverses the landscape creating beautiful landscape views and is a haven for wildlife, particularly given climate change challenges and solutions are likely to be centred around the river. There is also no mention of improved road infrastructure in the north of the Borough which at the moment is served only by the A6. This is a totally inadequate road and cannot cope with the amount of development currently envisaged in the north of the Borough. In addition, little consideration has been given to the safety and environmental impacts on the communities that live astride the A6. This is particularly important for Milton Ernest. It is essential that traffic generation is not thought of solely in terms of road capacity and convenience for road users - the needs of residents must be given at least an equal priority There is also current or proposed rail infrastructure available for the area so this would mean that car-based commuter options are the only viable option for the area. The villages in the north of the Borough already suffer from ‘rat-running’ by drivers either travelling into Bedford town for access schools/station or to reach main arterial road networks leading to other areas. The A6 already cannot cope with the amount of traffic travelling into Bedford or on to the Great Ouse Way. We could not support the development of any of the large developments proposed in the document along the A6 corridor.

We believe that there is a need to specifically refer to and protect the Borough’s main asset, the River Great Ouse and the Great Ouse Valley , in the vision given it traverses the landscape creating beautiful landscape views and is a haven for wildlife, particularly given climate change challenges and solutions are likely to be centred around the river. There is also no mention of improved road infrastructure in the north of the Borough which at the moment is served only by the A6. This is a totally inadequate road and cannot cope with the amount of development currently envisaged in the north of the Borough. In addition, little consideration has been given to the safety and environmental impacts on the communities that live astride the A6. This is particularly important for Milton Ernest. It is essential that traffic generation is not thought of solely in terms of road capacity and convenience for road users - the needs of residents must be given at least an equal priority There is also current or proposed rail infrastructure available for the area so this would mean that car-based commuter options are the only viable option for the area. The villages in the north of the Borough already suffer from ‘rat-running’ by drivers either travelling into Bedford town for access schools/station or to reach main arterial road networks leading to other areas. The A6 already cannot cope with the amount of traffic travelling into Bedford or on to the Great Ouse Way. We could not support the development of any of the large developments proposed in the document along the A6 corridor.

We believe that there is a need to specifically refer to and protect the Borough’s main asset, the River Great Ouse and the Great Ouse Valley , in the vision given it traverses the landscape creating beautiful landscape views and is a haven for wildlife, particularly given climate change challenges and solutions are likely to be centred around the river. There is also no mention of improved road infrastructure in the north of the Borough which at the moment is served only by the A6. This is a totally inadequate road and cannot cope with the amount of development currently envisaged in the north of the Borough. In addition, little consideration has been given to the safety and environmental impacts on the communities that live astride the A6. This is particularly important for Milton Ernest. It is essential that traffic generation is not thought of solely in terms of road capacity and convenience for road users - the needs of residents must be given at least an equal priority There is also current or proposed rail infrastructure available for the area so this would mean that car-based commuter options are the only viable option for the area. The villages in the north of the Borough already suffer from ‘rat-running’ by drivers either travelling into Bedford town for access schools/station or to reach main arterial road networks leading to other areas. The A6 already cannot cope with the amount of traffic travelling into Bedford or on to the Great Ouse Way. We could not support the development of any of the large developments proposed in the document along the A6 corridor.

We believe that there is a need to specifically refer to and protect the Borough’s main asset, the River Great Ouse and the Great Ouse Valley , in the vision given it traverses the landscape creating beautiful landscape views and is a haven for wildlife, particularly given climate change challenges and solutions are likely to be centred around the river. There is also no mention of improved road infrastructure in the north of the Borough which at the moment is served only by the A6. This is a totally inadequate road and cannot cope with the amount of development currently envisaged in the north of the Borough. In addition, little consideration has been given to the safety and environmental impacts on the communities that live astride the A6. This is particularly important for Milton Ernest. It is essential that traffic generation is not thought of solely in terms of road capacity and convenience for road users - the needs of residents must be given at least an equal priority There is also current or proposed rail infrastructure available for the area so this would mean that car-based commuter options are the only viable option for the area. The villages in the north of the Borough already suffer from ‘rat-running’ by drivers either travelling into Bedford town for access schools/station or to reach main arterial road networks leading to other areas. The A6 already cannot cope with the amount of traffic travelling into Bedford or on to the Great Ouse Way. We could not support the development of any of the large developments proposed in the document along the A6 corridor.

We believe that there is a need to specifically refer to and protect the Borough’s main asset, the River Great Ouse and the Great Ouse Valley , in the vision given it traverses the landscape creating beautiful landscape views and is a haven for wildlife, particularly given climate change challenges and solutions are likely to be centred around the river. There is also no mention of improved road infrastructure in the north of the Borough which at the moment is served only by the A6. This is a totally inadequate road for current inhabitants of villages and will not cope with the amount of development currently envisaged in the north of the Borough. There is also current or proposed rail infrastructure available for the area so this would mean that car-based commuter options are the only viable option for the area. The villages in the north of the Borough already suffer from ‘rat-running’ by drivers either travelling into Bedford town for access schools/station or to reach main arterial road networks leading to other areas. The A6 already cannot cope with the amount of traffic travelling into Bedford or on to the Great Ouse Way. We could not support the development of any of the large developments proposed in the document along the A6 corridor particularly as to accommodate further growth in addition to current growth (both in Bedford and East Northants) would either result in further disruption, delays, noise and pollution to existing residents or necessitate new transport infrastructure which would be at odds with the vision to provide sustainable development and transport and the recognition of the intrinsic beauty and character of the Bedfordshire countryside The subsequent suburbanisation of the Ouse Valley would be significantly harmful.

Whilst acknowledging that “The borough's countryside, its intrinsic character and beauty including areas of tranquil retreat will be recognised” there is no mention at all of one of the Borough’s most significant environmental assets i.e. the River Great Ouse and River Valley Area. It seems odd to reference the embankment as part of the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the Borough and yet not the acknowledge the contribution the remainder of the valley makes North and South of the town centre. “Sustainable development and transport, the use of renewable energy technology, green infrastructure and new high quality green spaces in both urban and rural areas, will all contribute to reducing the Borough’s carbon footprint and securing a net-gain in biodiversity” will require strong policies to implement, especially around the impact of transport by ensuring that traffic capacity management and green transport infrastructure is in place ahead of any development starting. This seems to be an inherent problem with development in Bedford Borough, where the impacts seem to be only considered as remediation rather than being pro-active at time of development.

Local Nature Recovery Strategies will be the chief and mandatory mechanism for planning local delivery of Nature Recovery Networks (NRNs) as set out within the Environment Bill 2020. The Environment Bill also introduces a mandatory requirement for biodiversity net gain in the planning system. Natural England advises that your authority considers proactively integrating NRNs and biodiversity net gain principles within your vision for Bedford Borough.

Who are the people that these houses are being built for? I assume they are young first-time buyers. If so, then why not redevelop the town centre shops which are now standing empty into decent quality 1/2 bedroomed flats? Make sure they all have balconies (for planting flowers/veg), hidden storage for rubbish bins, secure accommodation for bikes, some open spaces. In time, such development will bring life back to the centre of Bedford which is currently extremely depressing.

“Tackling climate change and adapting to and mitigating against its effects will be at the heart of new development throughout the borough” This is a laudable aim but it’s important to recognise that there are existing areas currently at flood risk (and other environmental risks) and redevelopment can be utilised to reduce flood risk. Sustainable development is often used to encapsulate this idea but in reality sustainability is about maintaining the current state rather than achieving new gain (reducing flood risk overall). Therefore, there are benefits of explicitly stating the aim to get new gain through development and an ambition to achieve wider environmental net gain. The review mentions the Covid Recovery Plan as a separate piece of work, but you may wish to include in the Vision references to the likely future changes, not only in people’s shopping habits, but in their working arrangements (and the potential for commercial office space to be available for other uses), the way people travel (including cycling) and the greater appreciation of nature that has resulted from the lockdown.

The Draft Vision does not mention employment other than attracting high tech employment in the context of East-West Rail. The Vision should also include a desire to facilitate all types of employment in the Borough as a whole and to enable existing sites to expand. Although referencing East-West Rail and improved connectivity to Oxford and Cambridge, it is considered that the vision should include and elaborate on how it will have supported and contributed to the ambitious growth objectives within the Oxford to Cambridge Arc.

Although referencing East-West Rail and improved connectivity to Oxford and Cambridge, it is considered that the vision should include and elaborate on how it will have supported and contributed to the ambitious growth objectives within the Oxford to Cambridge Arc. Further to which, the vision states that development within rural communities will have been achieved purely through neighbourhood plans. It would appear premature to include this point within the vision in advance of determining the borough’s development strategy and approach to growth, particularly given that the second reason given for the requiring this review, is that the 2030 Local Plan relies upon Neighbourhood Plan sites, and the review allows the council to intervene to ensure that house building rates are maintained.

Although referencing East-West Rail and improved connectivity to Oxford and Cambridge, it is considered that the vision should include and elaborate on how it will have supported and contributed to the ambitious growth objectives within the Oxford to Cambridge Arc. Further to which, the vision states that development within rural communities will have been achieved purely through neighbourhood plans. It would appear premature to include this point within the vision in advance of determining the borough’s development strategy and approach to growth, particularly given that the second reason given for the requiring this review, is that the 2030 Local Plan relies upon Neighbourhood Plan sites, and the review allows the council to intervene to ensure that house building rates are maintained.

This form is submitted on behalf of 3 landowners who are currently promoting sites in Neighbourhood Plans in the Borough: Although referencing East-West Rail and improved connectivity to Oxford and Cambridge, it is considered that the vision should include and elaborate on how it will have supported and contributed to the ambitious growth objectives within the Oxford to Cambridge Arc. Further to which, the vision states that development within rural communities will have been achieved purely through neighbourhood plans. It would appear premature to include this point within the vision in advance of determining the borough’s development strategy and approach to growth, particularly given that the second reason given for the requiring this review, is that the 2030 Local Plan relies upon Neighbourhood Plan sites, and the review allows the council to intervene to ensure that house building rates are maintained. Furthermore, the plan period exceeds that of the Neighbourhood Plans currently going through the process and so it needs to facilitate growth in the rural area for when these plans come to end.

4.5.1 Gladman agree with the ambition of the East-West Rail through Bedford being complete and other infrastructure associated with the Arc, but suggest that the vision should also embed an ambition to have fully supported opportunities for associated economic development and growth. For instance, how will housing be incorporated into Bedford’s vision? And how does Bedford’s vision embrace and express the relationship between East-West Rail and the location and trajectory of housing development? 4.5.2 Gladman are concerned with the approach to housing through neighbourhood plans and its potential impact on delivery. There is a contradiction between supporting the growth of the Arc and East-West Rail, and neighbourhood plans that provide housing in “areas of tranquil retreat”. While Gladman would also encourage quality in design, it would be helpful to explain how neighbourhood areas will contribute towards the quality and quantity of growth necessary for the borough and the wider Arc. At the time of writing, it is notable that from the 20 designated neighbourhood areas, only 5 plans have been submitted and 2 ‘made’.

This form is submitted on behalf of 3 landowners who are promoting opportunity sites in the Borough: Although referencing East-West Rail and improved connectivity to Oxford and Cambridge, it is considered that the vision should include and elaborate on how it will have supported and contributed to the ambitious growth objectives within the Oxford to Cambridge Arc. Further to which, the vision states that development within rural communities will have been achieved purely through neighbourhood plans. It would appear premature to include this point within the vision in advance of determining the borough’s development strategy and approach to growth, particularly given that the second reason given for the requiring this review, is that the 2030 Local Plan relies upon Neighbourhood Plan sites, and the review allows the council to intervene to ensure that house building rates are maintained.

2.2 We broadly agree with the draft vision. However, it could be strengthened by more specifically referring to East-West Rail in terms that it can provide a stimulus for new growth by virtue of the ability to introduce a new station that serves a new community. 2.3 It would also be beneficial for the vision to be accompanied by specific Local Plan objectives.

This form is submitted on behalf of 4 landowners who are promoting sites available for self-build dwellings: The vision states that development within rural communities will have been achieved purely through neighbourhood plans. It would appear premature to include this point within the vision in advance of determining the borough’s development strategy and approach to growth, particularly given that the second reason given for the requiring this review, is that the 2030 Local Plan relies upon Neighbourhood Plan sites, and the review allows the council to intervene to ensure that house building rates are maintained. Furthermore, the plan period exceeds that of the Neighbourhood Plans so it needs to facilitate growth in the rural area for when these plans come to end. The Council is presently reliant on Neighbourhood Plans delivering growth in the rural area. The vision should also encourage suitable windfall sites in the rural area to assist with maintaining the long-term sustainability of these settlements and their services, rather than just relying on Neighbourhood Plans. This is particularly important in areas which are not preparing a Neighbourhood Plan otherwise this will create inconsistencies in growth across the Borough. It is important that all settlements are given the opportunity to grow proportionately in order to enhance or maintain their vitality as required by the NPPF and Planning Practice Guidance on rural housing. We would contend that self-build and custom housing offers that opportunity, with such plots being more capable of addressing local design and landscape character. Although referencing East-West Rail and improved connectivity to Oxford and Cambridge, it is considered that the vision should include and elaborate on how it will have supported and contributed to the ambitious growth objectives within the Oxford to Cambridge Arc.

This form is submitted on behalf of 15 landowners who are promoting small sites in the rural area: The vision states that development within rural communities will have been achieved purely through neighbourhood plans. It would appear premature to include this point within the vision in advance of determining the borough’s development strategy and approach to growth, particularly given that the second reason given for the requiring this review, is that the 2030 Local Plan relies upon Neighbourhood Plan sites, and the review allows the council to intervene to ensure that house building rates are maintained. Furthermore, the plan period exceeds that of the Neighbourhood Plans so it needs to facilitate growth in the rural area for when these plans come to end. The Council has put too much focus on Neighbourhood Plans delivering growth in the rural area. The vision should also encourage suitable windfall sites in the rural area to assist with maintaining the long-term sustainability of these settlements and their services, rather than just relying on Neighbourhood Plans. This is particularly important in areas which are not preparing a Neighbourhood Plan otherwise this will create inconsistencies in growth across the Borough. It is important that all settlements are given the opportunity to grow proportionately in order to enhance or maintain their vitality as required by the NPPF and Planning Practice Guidance on rural housing. Although referencing East-West Rail and improved connectivity to Oxford and Cambridge, it is considered that the vision should include and elaborate on how it will have supported and contributed to the ambitious growth objectives within the Oxford to Cambridge Arc.

Although referencing East-West Rail and improved connectivity to Oxford and Cambridge, it is considered that the vision should include and elaborate on how it will have supported and contributed to the ambitious growth objectives within the Oxford to Cambridge Arc. Although the Vision states that there will be tourism opportunities as a result of the Bedford To Milton Keynes Waterway Park, it does not set out any objectives for increasing tourism elsewhere in the Borough. Tourism can help to promote economic growth and should be considered as part of the overall economic package.