Object

Representation ID: 10393

Received: 29/07/2022

Respondent: FCC Environment UK Ltd

Agent: Axis PED Ltd

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

Policy HOU 12 South of Bedford Area
Figure 5 Strategic Concept Plan – South of Bedford shows FCC’s Elstow South site within the middle of the area defined as ‘South of Bedford’. It is evident that the site, if allocated, can help to deliver the strategic objectives of the Local Plan. To the north east of the site is the allocation at Pear Tree Far (EMP5) and to the west is the Kempston Hardwick New Settlement (HOU14).
The Elstow site is sustainably located as it adjoins the Urban Area Boundary at its most northern point. A Site Context Figure was prepared to support representations made in 2021. This has been updated to reflect the additional / revised allocations within this plan. Figure 1 Rev A (enclosed) shows the site in relation to the Urban Area Boundary (UAB) and Settlement Policy Area (SPA).
The UAB is approximately 60m from the north-eastern corner of the site and the southern boundary of the site clearly adjoins the SPA. The site is also located adjacent to the proposed new settlement at Kempston Hardwick. As illustrated on Figure 1, the site is located within an area which has and will continue to experience considerable economic development. Figure 1 reflects the Strategic Concept Plan at Figure 5 of the Local Plan, the Elstow site is located within the middle of the South of Bedford policy area. Whilst the site sits currently outside of the UAB and SPA it is closely connected to both areas. The proximity of the site to other industrial uses, the UAB and SPA weighs heavily in the site’s favour for allocation.