Question 10
1.28. In a similar vein to our answer to question 9, we submit that there is no need to introduce local standards that change or exceed those required nationally.
We are unaware of evidence to support the need to go beyond building such national standards. If the Council is to attempt to introduce such standards, compelling justification would be required as to why standards should be higher than that set at a national level.
2.19 Please see the response to question 9.
10.1 O&H have no comment in relation to local evidence. 10.2 However, as noted in response to Q9, O&H are promoting the Randalls Farm site as a Model Village’, the function of which will be to demonstrate, and test innovative and low carbon technologies as well provide a knowledge exchange and educational hub. 10.3 A key component of the Randalls Farm opportunity would be the delivery of circa 24 demonstrator homes (a conservative assumption). 10.4 O&H is of the view that Randalls Farm could act as a testbed for innovation and a chance for members and planning officers to locally test going beyond national building regulation standards. 10.5 O&H welcome any opportunity to discuss their vision for Randalls Farm further and how this vision could align with the Council’s approach to future building regulation standards.
Additional constraints should be placed on developers to not only meet National Building Standards but to establish designs that create a sense of place and an appearance and quality which fully recognises the character of surrounding buildings and the local community. Neighbourhood Plans will be important in defining and guaranteeing this strategy.
11.1 This question is not relevant to our client’s site. Any building standards for employment use must be in line with national standards to ensure that the employment market remains competitive. This is particularly relevant to this site given its close proximity to a number of other local planning authorities.
No comment.
10.1 Our client would strongly recommend that the national standards are used, this will provide competition in the market and ensure that BBC is a competitive place to develop. Without sufficient research and justification, increasing the house building standards could harm the housing market within BBC and stop much needed development.
As with Q9, any above-scale focus on building standards, whilst theoretically laudable, will make local housing more expensive when applied generally. However, there may be merit in considering small showpiece developments of very high spec houses that introduce the best of new technology, eg seeking to be carbon-neutral or self-sustaining.
As members of the House Builders Federation, their consultation response on behalf of the industry has been shared with us prior to submission. We support their response to this question and do not wish to add further comment.
There is a need for a policy in the local plan that building regulations need to be complied with as regards housing design. We hope that the buildings regulations include minimum room size, ceiling height and the need for a separate room for home study.
Pavenham PC can see no reason for the Borough Council to go beyond what is already provided in national standards. Indeed we believe that to do so would be a recipe for confusion and contradiction. As it is, the Borough Council – and indeed the Parish Council – may soon be having to wrestle with the Government’s latest proposals for – “Building Beautiful”. The Parish Council can see no benefit in going beyond national standards.
The Society believes if equestrian users are included in Active Travel plans and as part of sustainable modes of transport then this would encourage people to make great use of these modes of transport.
If there is it will emerge during the analysis needed to formulate the proposed new policies.
Latest government White Paper stresses the need for clear and consistent rules across the county. We suggest it would be prudent to be consistent with national standards and there is no clear local evidence to go beyond that.
Seeking Local Plan standards that go above and beyond the “baseline” requirements of the Building Regulations through the Local Plan could be supported, although it is emphasised that in all cases these are negotiable as part of viability assessments.
Not that I am aware of. Again implementation is the crucial issue.
2.17 We are unaware of evidence to support the need to go beyond building such national standards. If the Council is to attempt to introduce such standards, compelling justification would be required as to why standards should be higher than that set at a national level.
Higher standards should be implemented so that better quality homes in better quality developments encourage people to live and work in the Borough. Housing should be varied and include more contemporary design and should be large enough to enable working from home. High water efficiency standards should be introduced as the east is one of the driest areas of the country.
Local by-laws need to be enforced and indeed extended Brough wide to prevent vehicles being parked or partially parked on footpaths and otehr areas set aside for pedestrians, pushchair and wheelchair users. Developers should be encouraged to provide sufficient vehicle parking areas in all new developments.
YES. Please see Question: 9 above. Stringent control on building standards.
No but make sute they are up to national standards with more regular building inspections by the Bedford Borough.
I Ravensden Parish Council has no comment to make.
There is always a need for local standards to be higher. Central government generally only promotes or sets out the lowest standards that it thinks that it could get away with.
No Comment
Agreed response: To our knowledge there is no need to go beyond national standards, but the Borough Council must ensure that all development permitted is at or above national standards and not below.
Increase in the number of affordable houses, targeted at improving the balance of local families and employees rather than focussing upon drawing in higher paid commuters. Ensure that a housing policy is in place for the elderly and vulnerable such as sheltered accommodation and increased number of bungalows. In line with the ageing population. Maintenance of conservation areas and ensure the use of high design standards to enhance the local area. Concern over erosion of local/parish council input to the planning process. Bedford Borough should continue to give consideration to the position of local and Parish councils on planning matters. Bedford Borough should be seeking to go above and beyond national standards in all areas in order to maximise the attraction of the local area and to create a sense of pride in living in Bedford Borough.
I don’t see any reason to go beyond the national standards.
There is no known local evidence to demonstrate that there is a need to go beyond the national standards although it would be desirable.
There is no known local evidence to demonstrate that there is a need to go beyond the national standards although it would be desirable.