Question 7
8.1 The response to this question should be read alongside our overall observations regarding the spatial options identified by the Council under Question 4. The role of the Oxford-Cambridge Arc is supported in terms of identifying and delivering the priorities for plan-making. However, the Arc itself is not specifically referred to in the text of Policy 1 and does not appear to be identified as part of the assessment criteria for the emerging Plan’s Sustainability Objectives. This reflects the continued uncertainties regarding delivery of growth across the wider sub-region and features such as the Expressway. 8.2 In this respect there has been only limited progress compared to the Council’s conclusions when preparing the Local Plan 2030. This acknowledged the uncertainty of planning for the wider corridor and while it was anticipated that future decisions would align with the timescales for this Review this cannot be guaranteed. Testing of options to meet full development needs should not be further constrained by these outstanding uncertainties. 8.3 It is appropriate that the strategy for the Review of the Local Plan 2030 capitalises on those existing commitments for infrastructure improvements (including the A421 corridor) as well as meeting the needs of individual settlements and enhancing the role of Bedford. This would ensure that the Plan’s priorities are delivered rather than deferred (as is the case in the Local Plan 2030) while remaining consistent with longer-term objectives for the corridor.
8.1 As noted in response to question 6, it will be important that new residential development is located close to the key pieces of infrastructure, such as East West Rail and the A421, which will provide access to the key economic centres like Milton Keynes, Oxford and Cambridge. 8.2 Rather than identifying sites in less well-located areas of the Borough, the allocation of development sites within the urban areas of Bedford and Kempston will ensure that the benefits of improved connectivity to key economic centres such as Oxford and Cambridge are captured. Growth within the urban area will allow new residents to take advantage of transport connections afforded by East West Rail and the A421 and will do so in a way which minimises the impact on the wider road network. 8.3 It is though acknowledged that new residential development should also be planned within the rural area to ensure the ongoing sustainability of villages.
8.1 It will be important that new residential development is located close to the key pieces of infrastructure which provide access to the key economic centres to the east and west of Bedford. 8.2 It is also important that there is a variety of housing types and locations to satisfy the needs to the residents who are likely to choose to live in and around Bedford and travel to work. Many residents who will travel out of Bedford for work may be in management or highly skilled work and will have expectations as to the type of home they want and the location. Many may not want to live in a dense urban extension on the edge of a town, preferring a more rural location with a different lifestyle. 8.3 This adds to the importance of considering locations such as Willington and Wilstead within the development strategy where development is likely to be at a lower density than in the urban area and the lifestyle different to that offered in a town.
Plentiful out of town car parking and frequent, free shuttle service to and from the station. Nothing will improve/enhance the value of living in Bedford and its economy more than a regular fast train to and from London. The East West rail link will be of little value to North Beds village residents who are mere pawns in a political game. It will undermine Bedford’s standing, is a white elephant and the whole project should be reconsidered in light of Covid and Brexit. If it has to go ahead, choose option B with a new station at Wixams. Put every effort into enhancing the green credentials of the town, the beauty and amenity of Bedford’s river and avoid plundering the North Beds country side. Houses must be affordable.
Look at focussing housing and employment opportunities in and close to Bedford town centre. Bedford Station is likely to be in a unique position, mid distance between London, Cambridge and Oxford. There is a need to provide a housing offer, leisure and cultural opportunities to make it a place that people choose to live and thrive.
8.1 It will be important that new residential development is located close to the key infrastructure which will provide access to the key economic centres to the east and west of Bedford. 8.2 It is also important that there is a variety of housing types and locations to satisfy the needs of the residents who are likely to choose to live in and around Bedford and travel elsewhere to work. Many of these residents may be in management or highly skilled work and have high expectations as to the location and type of home they desire. Many may not want to live in a dense urban extension on the edge of a town, preferring a more rural location with a different lifestyle. 8.3 This adds to the importance of considering locations within the development strategy where development is likely to be at a lower density than in the urban area and the rural lifestyle different to that offered in a town.
It is considered that locating new growth in close proximity to existing key rail stations at Kempston and Bedford will be important in order to capture the benefits and inward investment opportunities associated with East- West Rail. The proposal for the site at Gibraltar Corner demonstrates a well located, high quality residential development, representing accessible suitable residential provision for anyone working in Bedford or Kempston. It will also provide ease of access to Bedford and Kempston Train Station’s, by cycling, which in turn will enable ease of commute to Cambridge and Oxford. It is strongly recommended that development sites with ease of access to Kempston and Bedford Railway Stations are allocated to form a large proportion of the growth within the emerging Local Plan.
It will be important to capture the benefits of increased connectivity through enhanced internal linkages in the town, by ensuring that routes to the historic core of Bedford and riverside are made as accessible and permeable as possible for people connecting to East West Rail, and that this should favour less intrusive modes of transport encouraging the signposting of Bedford’s High Street and the Castle Park/Riverside Area.
8.1 The response to this question should be read alongside or overall observations regarding the spatial options identified by the Council under Question 4. The role of the Oxford- Cambridge Arc is supported in terms of identifying and delivering the priorities for planmaking. However, the Arc itself is not specifically referred to in the text of Policy 1 and does not appear to be identified as part of the assessment criteria for the emerging Plan’s Sustainability Objectives. This reflects the continued uncertainties regarding delivery of growth across the wider sub-region and features such as the Expressway. 8.2 In this respect there has been only limited progress compared to the Council’s conclusions when preparing the Local Plan 2030. This acknowledged the uncertainty of planning for the wider corridor and while it was anticipated that future decisions would align with the timescales for this Review this cannot be guaranteed. Testing of options to meet full development needs should not be further constrained by these outstanding uncertainties. 8.3 It is appropriate that the strategy for the Review of the Local Plan 2030 capitalises on those existing commitments for infrastructure improvements (including the A421 corridor) as well as meeting the needs of individual settlements and enhancing the role of Bedford. This would ensure that the Plans priorities are delivered rather than deferred (as is the case in the Local Plan 2030) while remaining consistent with longer-term objectives for the corridor.
1.29. Providing growth along and around the strategic connections between Oxford and Cambridge (e.g. A421 and East-West Rail) are considered key to drawing in investment to the Borough and increasing the value of its economy. Identifying the unique selling point and establishing the competitiveness of Bedford will be extremely important to attract the best talent and employment opportunities to Bedford. The biggest constraints for the arc to unleash its potential are, 1) undersupply of homes to support jobs and growth, particularly a lack of large scale residential homes close to employment opportunities; and, 2) lack of large scale employment that can satisfy the needs of modern occupiers (to scale up and offer scope for hybrid development). 1.30. Bedford could benefit significantly over the coming plan period if it engages with the Arc vision. The area to the south of Bedford with its stock of brownfield sites and connectivity is a ready choice to be promoted and invested in. 1.31. There is already a 1,000 homes allocation at Stewartby Brickworks located adjacent to a proposed 550 acre Business Park. Such proposals present an opportunity for Bedford to attract investment, create jobs and generate economic growth.
1.29. Providing growth along and around the strategic connections between Oxford and Cambridge (e.g. A421 and East-West Rail) are considered key to drawing in investment to the Borough and increasing the value of its economy.
1.21. Providing growth along and around the strategic connections between Oxford and Cambridge (e.g. A421 and East-West Rail) are considered key to drawing in investment to the Borough and increasing the value of its economy.
1.21. Providing growth along and around the strategic connections between Oxford and Cambridge (e.g. A421 and East-West Rail) is considered vital to drawing in investment to the Borough and increasing the value of its economy.
2.13 MGH does not have a specific view on this issue.
7.1 O&H’s comments in relation to Question 4 are appropriate here also.
It is important that a Local Plan for Bedford reflects a realistic role for the Borough within the wider Oxford-Cambridge Arc taking full advantage of new investment and opportunities but recognising the pre-eminence of technology centres and university centres of excellence elsewhere in the Arc. Compared with other locations within the Arc Bedford does not have a strong record of innovative start-up enterprises or of attracting large inward investment. However, it can work with others across the Arc providing high quality staff domiciled in the Borough, building a new industrial base to take innovations from across the region to a profitable marketplace. The Bedford area is seen as an excellent and comparatively affordable place to live and should seek to attract those employed elsewhere within the Arc. It has significant advantage over Cambridge and Oxford which have become unaffordable and are each surrounded by Green Belt land. This will enhance the economic, cultural and intellectual wealth of the town with many long-term benefits. Bedford should avoid simply trying to replicate neighbouring retail or commercial centres but should establish its advantages as a place to live and for leisure, with excellent access, outstanding schooling, and as a place which is well-matched to trends in the post Covid world. Unfortunately, creating quicker and easier access to stronger centres can diminish not improve the economic prospects compared to other towns in their catchment. With easier access and more attractive employment opportunities in Cambridge/Milton Keynes/Oxford, Bedford will become vulnerable to having a net outflow of commuters from the town. This has been the experience of Corby following intervention with a new station connection to Midland Mainline Services towards London.
In order to ensure that Bedford can capture the benefits of greater connectivity to the economic centres of Oxford and Cambridge, it is vital that the Council ensure that the appropriate infrastructure is in place throughout the borough in order to capitalise on the improvements provided through East-West Rail. Investment in the arc is primarily focused on Oxford and Cambridge. Bedford is located broadly centrally within the arc, therefore investment in infrastructure would help to unlock growth within Bedford. The creation of transport hubs where new infrastructure connects within existing road and rail will create new opportunities for both commercial and residential development. The delivery of housing and employment units alongside infrastructure will be essential in capturing the benefits of the proximity to Oxford and Cambridge. Bedford is more affordable than Oxford and Cambridge, as such the opportunity exists with greater connectivity and reduced journey times to provide additional employment and housing opportunities within Bedford to support those living and working within other areas across the arc. Development within Bedford should ensure that it provides a high quality living environment with access to employment opportunities.
8.1 Development should be located close to the existing and proposed infrastructure. This will allow for connectivity to Oxford and Cambridge as well as other towns and cities including London. 8.2 The delivery of quality employment spaces in association with well-planned and diverse housing provision will benefit the Bedford economy. It will help grow sectors and enable companies to benefit from the knowledge and expertise offered by the knowledge hubs which have been established in other locations such as Oxford and Cambridge. 8.3 In order to attract business to this central location, it is vital that a coordinated and well-planned approach is taken. Businesses will be looking for high quality premises but these must be in locations close to an active employment market. The provision of such locations will attract businesses. 8.4 The provision of improved links to larger cities such as Cambridge, Oxford and Milton Keynes may attract more people that are living in the Borough and commuting out for work. If people are commuting via the transport hubs, particularly those created by the new stations, it is vital that sustainable travel methods are put in place for the ‘last mile’, i.e. people are able to get from their homes to the train stations in a sustainable way, this may include the provision of park and rides or cycle parking and cycle paths.
It is considered that locating new growth in close proximity to existing key rail stations at Kempston and Bedford will be important in order to capture the benefits and inward investment opportunities associated with East- West Rail. The proposal for the site at Gibraltar Corner demonstrates a well located, high quality residential development, representing accessible suitable residential provision for anyone working in Bedford or Kempston. It will also provide ease of access to Bedford and Kempston Train Station’s, by cycling, which in turn will enable ease of commute to Cambridge and Oxford. It is strongly recommended that development sites with ease of access to Kempston and Bedford Railway Stations are allocated to form a large proportion of the growth within the emerging Local Plan.
7.1 As noted above, it will be important that new residential development is located close to the existing and proposed infrastructure. The employment land could help facilitate growth in the film, media and TV sector through its geographic connection to the Cardington Hangers. 7.2 It is also important that a variety of housing types and locations are provided to satisfy the needs of the residents who are likely to choose to live in and around Bedford and travel to work. This must include house types that reflect the different life phases, from starter homes to retirement homes, therefore ensuring that communities are able to stay within the Borough. 7.3 The provision of improved links to larger cities such as Cambridge, Oxford and Milton Keynes may attract more people that are living in the Borough and commuting out for work. If people are commuting via the transport hubs, particularly those created by the new stations, it is vital that sustainable travel methods are put in place for the ‘last mile’, i.e. people are able to get from their homes to the train stations in a sustainable way, this may include the provision of park and rides or cycle parking and cycle paths.
The town centre plan needs to deliver more to make Bedford town centre an attractive place that people want to visit for shopping, restaurants, culture and leisure. That is currently a distant dream as we have been losing key retail names too frequently and the town is dotted with tatty empty shops. While we need to encourage public transport usage we cannot ignore the fact that most people rely on the car and so parking needs to be more accessible. If we start with an infrastructure plan (see Q5) and develop Riverside, the river area and the Harpur Centre we can make the town more attractive and attract more retail, leisure and other popular facilities.
By making Bedford Borough attractive, dynamic, a greener creative place to live with good housing design,sustainable transport and infrastructure. Quality of life should be the primary consideration.
The answer to this question is really a blend of all of Pavenham PC’s answers to this consultation document. The Cambridge-Bedford-Oxford Arc offers extraordinary potential for the Borough - a potential that has already been weakened by the Borough’s shortsighted promotion of a rail link which entering Bedford Midland Station, then moves north as opposed to south. The proposed route for the Arc should, in the view of Pavenham PC, have passed to the south of the Bedford urban area, thereby enabling development to take early advantage of existing connectivity from the A421 to the M1 and the A1. As it is, any development to the north of the urban area will further over-load an already congested roundabout at the southern end of the A6 (the Sainsbury’s roundabout) – and the Parish Council would add that it was less than convinced by the suggestions previously made during the promotion of the now current Local Plan by both the Council’s consultants and the would-be new town developers as to how that congestion could be avoided/mitigated. The Parish Council would suggest that a radical solution is already required.
No comments.
Bedford must have a new vision for its future role as a centre between two ‘powerhouse’ cities. It must clearly define its role and the development it requires to achieve this as part of the emerging local plan.
Any of the yellow, pink and orange approaches, all of which focus upon the A421 and east/ west rail corridor, could potentially secure benefits arising from this key element of the Oxford to Cambridge Arc.
Once again, we consider that the Council should be realistic about not only the timescale for the completion of the East West rail link but also the benefits it would bring to Bedford Borough as opposed to the corridor as a whole. It would be unrealistic to expect the kind of science-based and university-related economic activity to spread throughout the corridor, at least in terms of an end date for this review of 2040.
It is here that the fantasy of the BBC's proposals are at their worst. The reality is that Bedford will become a dormitory town for people working in Oxford and Cambridge with cheaper property. The Mayor's fantasy that large numbers of people travelling from Oxford to Cambridge will get off the train to boost Bedford is unreal and any jobs will be service ones to support the growth in residential populations. In this scenario what Bedford will have to do is to boost its cultural provision, and build on the basis of the Philharmonia etc.
Ensure train links are easily accessible from residential areas and adequate parking
The attractiveness of Bedford should be increased by enhancing the river areas, particularly to the east and west of the town centre e.g. buildings and accessible public spaces should provide safe access to and should face onto the river. Cycleways within and into the town should be improved and walks in the rural area should be better signposted. Cultural and leisure sites and activities should be promoted and the tourism centre enhanced. Cambridge spin out businesses could be encouraged to locate in Bedford rather than Cambridgeshire villages given improved connectivity through the arc. Public transport links to and parking at the train station should also be improved.