Comment

Representation ID: 10198

Received: 28/07/2022

Respondent: Sir or Madam

I am writing to you today to express my concern about the proposed science park development adjoining the village of Renhold .
There is no need for a science-campus proposal in this location. Bedford is not a science or research location like Cambridge or Oxford. The sites are not gateway locations into Bedford as they do not abut the urban boundary of Bedford. Instead, the northern site adjoins the settlement policy area of Renhold's Green End (a small nucleus of residential units), and the southern site does not adjoin any settlement policy area .

Significant engineering and modification works will be required to the A4280 St Neats Road, the A421 slip roads, Water End and the link road between the two roundabouts and relevant access point s. This would result in the urbanisation of this part of the Parish, which is characterised by agricultural fields, waterways and lakes to the sout h; and limited built form - primarily in the form of modest houses and scattered agricultural buildings
The local highway network is already exhausted and at capacity- the proposed allocation would result in a significant increase in traffic movements and associated pollution, detrimental to the local area, in particular the Parish of Renhold and the adjoin ing rural road network.

Water End road is restricted to access for cars and motorbikes between the peak hours of 7.00 to 9.30am and 3.30 to 6.30pm due to width/weight/on-street parking restrictions around Renhold Church and Primary School.

The sites are not in sustainable locations with lack of footway and cycleway provision and infrequent public transport connection with lack of bus stops. Alternative modes of transport, including walking, cycling and public t ransport, should be promoted, however, the sites' access would be clearly dominated by vehicles due to their proximity to the A421, therefore failing to meet the key, high-level objective of the NPPF of 'achieving sustainable development'.

The proposed associated roadside service and EV charging facilities would attract additional transiting traffic that is not associated with the proposed employment use of the land, resulting in an even greater level of pollution (noise, emission/air, light, water).

Please seriously consider the implementation of the science park at this location.