Question 1
What about roads and public transport including Park and Ride. Better facilities for bicycles including in the town centre.
The additional policies to address climate change should include the building of zero carbon housing. ie no gas boilers and the use of ground or air source heat pumps with heat recovery ventilation.
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In our view the proposed scope of the Local Plan Review is appropriate particularly the emphasis on climate change and natural environment. Anglian Water is generally supportive of the relevant Borough wide policies as outlined in the adopted Local Plan 2030. We are content with Policies 33 (Impact of development - Infrastructure impact), 47S (Pollution, Disturbance and Contaminated land) and 50S (Water Resources) as set out in the adopted Local Plan. We would suggest that policies 52 (water demand) and 93 (Sustainable Drainage Systems) be brought together to promote an integrated approach to water management including the incorporation of water re-use measures as part of new development proposals. Anglian Water would welcome the opportunity to work with the Bedford Local Plan Team and other interested organisations e.g. LLFA to develop policies relating to SuDs, water efficiency/re-use and integrated water management in advance of formal public consultation. Please see refer to the Water Management Checklist developed with the LLFAs in our region for further details of what this policy could include. https://www.anglianwater.co.uk/siteassets/household/about-us/water-management-checklist-for-local-policies.pdf
Whilst Wootton Parish Council understands the need to commence work so promptly following the adoption of Local Plan 2030, it is imperative that if this new plan is to focus upon growth in regard to housing and employment that the supporting infrastructure is provided in order to facilitate the planned growth. As you will be aware, the parish has been the focus for a considerable amount of development over recent years and the consequences of this has put significant pressure upon a number of services in the parish, in particular in regard to school provision. As confirmed within Bedford Borough Council’s document ‘Education Implications for Local Plan 2030, updated school numbers show there is no additional capacity for lower school places within the parish. It is absolutely vital that a joint approach between planning and education assists in resolving the housing requirements of the new Local Plan. To confirm, the level of development within the parish not only has caused considerable impact on education provision within the parish but this has also resulted on a detrimental impact on medical provision as well as green infrastructure including green spaces. We would reinforce the need for officers to thoroughly consider the implications of the planned growth and to work with other departments within Bedford Borough Council to ensure that new planned development does not prejudice the existing facilities and residents of the parish. From reviewing this document, we are aware that there are a number of notable matters which are currently unresolved namely, the level of growth associated with the Oxford to Cambridge Arc and how this is to be distributed; the Government’s figures for affordability (due to published in March 2021); and finally, the review of the standard methodology to resolve the housing requirement. With these matters unresolved, we are concerned that this could influence the preparation of this new Local Plan in regard to timescale but also could impact on the housing requirement required for the plan period. With these matters unresolved, this could raise serious concerns on the soundness of the plan as it advances through the formal stages causing delay and throwing Bedford Borough Council’s growth strategy and direction for growth into question. In light of the need to press ahead with an early review of the Local Plan, Bedford Borough Council should be pressing upon the relevant parties/organisations to resolve these outstanding matters at the earliest opportunity. Finally, Wootton Parish Council considers the importance of Neighbourhood Plans in the delivery of growth should be strengthened within the new Local Plan. The recently published White Paper ‘Planning for the Future’ confirmed that Neighbourhood Plans should be retained ‘as important means of community input’ in allowing communities to proactively influence how they would like to see their areas to develop. Wootton Parish Council considers the role of Neighbourhood Plans should be further emphasised within the emerging Local Plan.
All new development should consider needs of local people in terms of medical provision along with retail, education and transport needs. This should be a compulsory item and there should be no wriggle room out of this provision.
The plan seems to be lacking an overview of the transport situation now and in the future. The road situation in Bedfordshire is particularly poor having had many years of mismanagement and lack of foresight in this area. The fact that there will be significant changes both to the nature and requirements of transport needs to be built into any planning and infrastructure. Simply building more poor quality estates, of which there are already many will be a massive missed opportunity.
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There needs to be a policy to address Air Quality. This should include a Borough Low Emission Zone
According to the plan it appears to cover areas of Bedfordshire that would simply not be able to support an increase in traffic and therefore on this basis I would object to the inclusion of hamlets like Honeydon and Begwary, that do not have the basic infrastructure. I believe a policy should be added to the plan to consider the existing infrastructure and its ability to accept more traffic. With mostly single lane roads in most hamlets would mean there is no opportunity to expand in these areas.
To support the Oxford to Cambridge Arc, employment and business development should be concentrated close to easy to access transport links. The A421 corridor to the west of Bedford provides an ideal opportunity to coordinate road and rail infrastructure to directly interface with distribution networks within a short distance of manufacturing and supply business opportunities. Housing development can be closely associated with this Bedford South/West area within a green corridor to promote sustainable transport regimes to get to work without reliance on vehicular commuting. Walk and cycle routes need to be integrated into a green transport network.
To support the Oxford to Cambridge Arc, employment and business development should be concentrated close to easy to access transport links. The A421 corridor to the west of Bedford provides an ideal opportunity to coordinate road and rail infrastructure to directly interface with distribution networks within a short distance of manufacturing and supply business opportunities. Housing development can be closely associated with this Bedford South/West area within a green corridor to promote sustainable transport regimes to get to work without reliance on vehicular commuting. Walk and cycle routes need to be integrated into a green transport network.
In principle, I agree with the scope however, I think that part of the scope should include an aim to target a reduction in the development of new estates that centre around vehicular transport with little-to-no consideration for pedestrian well-being i.e. having substantial green space for exercising or dog walking etc. The mental health of many is affected by the feeling of being cooped up and having nowhere to escape the issues of the home - and having to drive somewhere is for this purpose is bad for the environment, traffic, road health amongst many other reasons.
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In principle, I agree with the scope however, I think that part of the scope should include an aim to target a reduction in the development of new estates that centre around vehicular transport with little-to-no consideration for pedestrian well-being i.e. having substantial green space for exercising or dog walking etc. The mental health of many is affected by the feeling of being cooped up and having nowhere to escape the issues of the home - and having to drive somewhere is for this purpose is bad for the environment, traffic, road health amongst many other reasons.
One of the brown areas shown on the map covers the parish of Staploe, Duloe and Honeydon. The land in the area is not urban brownfield, nor is it underused. It is fertile farming land that supports a broad environmental diversity including some of the rarest species in the Uk.
Scope needs to be expanded so that it provides an e2e community based approach - as opposed to the current infrastructure only approach. Suggested areas to add include ... - how public facilities (schools, hospital, police, welfare, etc) will be developed to cope with the population increase - how local employment opportunities will be developed, diversified & expanded to support the population increase & greater resiliency - delivering enhancements to drive improved health & well being - changing the borough to support increased self sustainability across all areas - flood prevention/flood defences. Given the potential significant impact, this should be separate to climate change
develop a strategy and allocate new development sites to accommodate growth in line with national policy requirements Do not agree with this. acknowledge the national policy, however "strategy and allocation" must be built on local evidence and in line with many other aspects of growth e.g. employment, regeneration, housing needs. include new policies for the repurposing of the town centre Fantastic language! this is used to take scrap material, into another use! The town centre i do not describe it like this, but we need to reflect on consumers purchasing behaviours and create and environment that reflects this, both in town centre offer and the out of town portfolio - balanced. To "re-purpose" the town centre is not a description I agree with. include policies to improve the quality of development This is an absolute must, and it is time our Government acknowledged this - see https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/590464/Fixing_our_broken_housing_market_-_print_ready_version.pdf This absolute clear evidence, that we not only need more houses, we need to address all the constituent parts - to include "quality of development"! include a policy to deliver self & custom build opportunities Need to be cautious in this area - much easier to articulate in a written passage, but these are very challenging programmes to deliver - not easy, and complex. There would need to be some very cohesive support to make this successful. consider the need for additional policies to address climate change Without a doubt! Why do we not insist on better quality e.g. tiles on roofs to be photovoltaic construct, and not therefore be a retrospective build - design in at start! consider the need for policies to control the location of food outlets To a degree, but market forces will drive this consider the need to update open space standards to be provided alongside new development Yes, and reflect on the old policy AGLV - we miss this in North Bedfordshire in The Great Ouse river catchment. consider the need to change current policies for the natural environment following the publication of the Environment Act Yes, but not at any cost
develop a strategy and allocate new development sites to accommodate growth in line with national policy requirements Do not agree with this. acknowledge the national policy, however "strategy and allocation" must be built on local evidence and in line with many other aspects of growth e.g. employment, regeneration, housing needs. include new policies for the repurposing of the town centre Fantastic language! this is used to take scrap material, into another use! The town centre i do not describe it like this, but we need to reflect on consumers purchasing behaviours and create and environment that reflects this, both in town centre offer and the out of town portfolio - balanced. To "re-purpose" the town centre is not a description I agree with. include policies to improve the quality of development This is an absolute must, and it is time our Government acknowledged this - see https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/590464/Fixing_our_broken_housing_market_-_print_ready_version.pdf This absolute clear evidence, that we not only need more houses, we need to address all the constituent parts - to include "quality of development"! include a policy to deliver self & custom build opportunities Need to be cautious in this area - much easier to articulate in a written passage, but these are very challenging programmes to deliver - not easy, and complex. There would need to be some very cohesive support to make this successful. consider the need for additional policies to address climate change Without a doubt! Why do we not insist on better quality e.g. tiles on roofs to be photovoltaic construct, and not therefore be a retrospective build - design in at start! consider the need for policies to control the location of food outlets To a degree, but market forces will drive this consider the need to update open space standards to be provided alongside new development Yes, and reflect on the old policy AGLV - we miss this in North Bedfordshire in The Great Ouse river catchment. consider the need to change current policies for the natural environment following the publication of the Environment Act Yes, but not at any cost
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We have lived happily in the village of Duloe for over 30 years and choose to live in the beautiful green countryside. The thought of urban sprawl all over Duloe/Staploe/Honeydon is heartbreaking. Any building this side of the A1 would be the slippery slope. Wintringham Farm and Loves Farm have the railway infrastructure that side of town so I propose to keep any plans for new growth to be kept near rail links and leave our beautiful villages & green belt land alone!! We don’t need ‘urban growth’ it will permanently damage the villages, peoples lives and countryside and wildlife within it!!
The increasing tendency for developers to accept long term responsibility for the ownership and maintenance of open spaces in and around developments should be stopped. This responsibility should be, as is traditional, retained by the Local Authority which is a permanent institution and is accountable to the community whereas developers are neither.
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