Object

Representation ID: 10201

Received: 29/07/2022

Respondent: Bloor Homes

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

The Local Plan spatial strategy is underpinned by the aspiration of the Borough Council to deliver growth to meet its needs “…at the heart of the Oxford-Cambridge Arc…” This decision has influenced the spatial strategy set out in the submission Plan.

However, the Government’s Levelling–up and Regeneration Bill in May 2022 omits any reference to the OxCam Arc. Furthermore, the Infrastructure & Projects Authority annual report on major projects 2021-22 confirms that the successful delivery of East West Rail Connection Stage 2 & 3 appears to be unachievable and the project may need re-scoping and/or its overall viability reassessed.

The Council’s strategy for a large proportion of the proposed growth is rail based. Should the rail infrastructure including rail stations are unachievable then the new settlement housing allocations at Little Barford and Kempston Hardwick would seem undeliverable.

Without the benefit of a firm commitment from the Government to fund the East West Rail Connection Stage 2 & 3, the Local Plan and its proposed spatial strategy (Policy DS2(S) Spatial Strategy) will not deliver the required housing growth, including affordable, to 2040. The Local Plan is therefore not justified as it fails the test of soundness as set out in paragraph 35 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2021.