Question 8
My only comment is that the strategy for the town centre and how it could be achieved is not clear. The evidence for my comment is supported by the responses to the consultation. There is no clear and overriding distinguishing feature for what attracts people to the town centre – the highest response being for culture and environment at 34%. There seems to be a desire by residents that the town centre has varied and independent shops (45%). The challenge for the Borough is how to achieve this, given COVID-19.
The Biddenham Society considers this to be outside of its remit and does not wish to comment.
No further views.
Given the changes and uncertainties of the Covid-19 crisis, it is likely that Bedford town centre will be less important in the future for its retail offering, and more relevant to residents for its cultural, leisure and entertainment activities than represented in the responses given in the earlier consultation. This is a significant change to everyone’s way of life in the UK, and will be for many years to come so it must be factored in to any plans for local development.
The High Street is dying because of on-line shopping and all the signs are that this will only accelerate due to COVID-19. Why not put more housing back into redundant town centre buildings where it will meet a need and be truly sustainable. If you could live in the centre of Bedford the town is small enough for you go practically anywhere on foot.
• Unless there is an unexpected revival of the ‘High Street’ which was in decline pre-covid19, and certainly felt in Bedford Town Centre, the empty properties should be adapted to residential use. Infrastructure adapted to service these but retaining the architectural feel and character of the town centre.
I stress importance of improvement of open public spaces, including river area, and more free parking
See answer to Question 7.
No. Although it is possible that some retail and office space may become available to be repurposed for housing as a result of changes in ways of shopping / working since Covid-19 struck.
Improved access for travellers coming from outside town.
We need to plan for changing retail patterns and convert redundant shops into homes and alternative business uses.
The BMK Waterway will bring business and tourism directly into the heart of Bedford.
At the last presentation I recomended that you look at Hitchin for ideas to make Bedford Town center a better place, 45% of people would use the town more if the shopping experience was better. Frankly over the last 10 years the town has just declined and you cannot blame all of that on the internet. If you accept that the town is going to continue to decline then convert all the retail areas to flats and resturants.
Extension to Eaton Socon area near the A1 would destroy the local wildlife and nature which is so greatly appreciated by many residents. This area is why so many people reside in the Eaton Socon area and this would not be fair on residents.
2020/068 Draft Housing Strategy 2021-2026. • Referring to the Bedford Borough Council (BBC) Draft Housing Strategy 2021-2026 (paragraph references in [ ]) o [5.2.1.] A Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) was produced in 2016 in support of draft Local Plan 2035 and updated in 2018 to take into account a change of plan period to 2030. [5.3.1.] The Council will need to update the SHMA to provide data on housing needs such that it can reliably inform future housing strategies, policies and for the Local Plan review. A new Local Housing Need Assessment (LHNA) will be required to provide the housing needs evidence base for the new Local Plan. o [5.3.2.] The demographic information contained within this Housing Strategy is based upon the census data collected in 2011. A new census will be undertaken in 2021 and it will be necessary to consider the updated information it provides and establish whether and how changes in demographics impact upon housing objectives and incorporate into housing strategies as they are renewed and updated. o It is therefore hard to see how the Local Plan review can be carried out with any certainty when the Council do not have current information or forecasts on which to confidently base the review? The consultation and Local Plan review should be postponed until the results of a new SHMA, LNHA and the 2021 Census are available? BBC estimate that they will not consider these results until 2022/23!
2020/068 Draft Housing Strategy 2021-2026. • Referring to the Bedford Borough Council (BBC) Draft Housing Strategy 2021-2026 (paragraph references in [ ]) o [5.2.1.] A Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) was produced in 2016 in support of draft Local Plan 2035 and updated in 2018 to take into account a change of plan period to 2030. [5.3.1.] The Council will need to update the SHMA to provide data on housing needs such that it can reliably inform future housing strategies, policies and for the Local Plan review. A new Local Housing Need Assessment (LHNA) will be required to provide the housing needs evidence base for the new Local Plan. o [5.3.2.] The demographic information contained within this Housing Strategy is based upon the census data collected in 2011. A new census will be undertaken in 2021 and it will be necessary to consider the updated information it provides and establish whether and how changes in demographics impact upon housing objectives and incorporate into housing strategies as they are renewed and updated. o It is therefore hard to see how the Local Plan review can be carried out with any certainty when the Council do not have current information or forecasts on which to confidently base the review? The consultation and Local Plan review should be postponed until the results of a new SHMA, LNHA and the 2021 Census are available? BBC estimate that they will not consider these results until 2022/23!
The town centre is dead as far as I am concerned. I live 6 miles from it but the only way I can get there realistically is by car because of the busy roads and the train takes an hour. I just don't have a reason to go there unless I need to pick someone up from the station. When I am there it's nice to go along the river and use the independent shops. I'd just turn it over to housing developments, some small offices and co-working spaces. Keep the local services like the museum and library, but as far as shopping is concerned I'd prefer to go online unless I need to see something like from B&Q. If I'm eating out I'd prefer to go to a village pub.
My only comment is that the strategy for the town centre and how it could be achieved is not clear. The evidence for my comment is supported by the responses to the consultation. There is no clear and overriding distinguishing feature for what attracts people to the town centre – the highest response being for culture and environment at 34%. There seems to be a desire by residents that the town centre has varied and independent shops (45%). The challenge for the Borough is how to achieve this, given COVID-19.
The BMK Waterway will bring business and tourism directly into the heart of Bedford.
See response to Question 7. Just opening up to smaller independent retailers seems to risk a "race to the bottom" with a constant opening and closing of small shops who find it difficult to trade profitably. This is turn leads to many vacant spaces, and to an unwelcoming atmosphere of decay and failure. A fundamental rethink is required. Vehicle accessibility and parking is also an issue.
The town centre currently has a number of large shop units vacant (particularly as a result of Beales and Marks & Spencer closing). It seems unlikely that other retailers would want to move into such a large space in the current climate, so the borough should consider working with owners/developers to create smaller units, perhaps in a 'mall' format to encourage more retail into the town centre.
The potential of the town centre as a residential area is not considered. A changing retail market, with the increase in online shopping has already resulted in the closure of most of the department stores in the centre of Bedford. In the past people lived in town centres, it maybe time to reclaim the centre of town as a residential area.
The town centre should focus on becoming more sustainable through re-development of brownfield sites so that people can live and work in the town and can walk or cycle to work or to the station.
Why did we lose our bowling alley? It was the only venue that the young and old could socially interact. The Government need to put a Co2 Tax on Parcel delivery. Why should we keep paying more council tax because we don't have a viable town centre. (Also a 3000% VAT On cheap Chinese goods that drop to bits after a few weeks and a Minus 3000% VAT on British Goods that last a Lifetime).
No
We consider that the Borough Council have a significant role to secure the future of the town centre whether through business support, car parking, planning policy strategies or development management decisions. The Council must take a positive and pro-active planning strategies to ensure centres can both evolve and attract new investment and through support for independent businesses. With the closure of household names in the town centre this leaves sizeable retail space vacant which leads to unattractive environments and little incentive for visits. In addition, as detailed in the Issues and Options document there is the challenging competition from regional and out of town shopping centres must notably Milton Keynes and Rushden Lakes. In order to respond effectively to town centre decline and rapid change in shopping habits, planning policies must respond positively to bring about alternative uses and enhance existing features including the Embankment, Bedford Park, the theatres and enhancing the heritage and historic features of the town centre.
Yes, I agree that the Council should produce further guidance for developers on how to respond to climate change. I think this should include:- Solar panels on new homes, to help create appropriate mix in the energy strategy, reduce reliance on wind turbines for renewable energy which take up precious countryside and are an eye-sore in the country. If it is not cost-effective to put solar panels on all new homes, the policy should at least require developers to include solar panels over a certain market value any home that is more than say 20% of average house prices. Developers could also offer buyers options to purchase solar panel installation for homes where it was not mandatory. To plant a certain number of trees in the development. A formula could be devised relating to the number of homes. To have a certain area set aside for green open space, or have nearby access to existing green pace. Some general principles on access and size of the green open space based on number of homes should be devised. To use materials from suppliers that have a green strategy to reduce carbon dioxide emission in the production of the materials, as well as use materials that are non-flammable and safe, with considerations to lessons learnt from the Grenfell Tower fire.
Urban development and planning that better protects our heritage through considering how new development will sit alongside historic buildings. The North Riverside development including the ugly new white bridge, just yards away from the Victorian bridge, is an appalling example of protecting historic settings. We need to better define what Bedford town centre is about. Bedford needs to start aiming much higher in its planning. At present if there is any aim or clear direction and strategy it seems to be to aim for what is low, cheap, quick and easy to deliver and just let the developers get on with it.
The BMK Waterway will bring business and tourism directly into the heart of Bedford.
Even more independent shops and cafes and fewer Costas would be good. If people want to just shop they go to Milton Keynes, but making Bedford more of a community space rather than a retail destination would encourage more people to go into town.