Object

Representation ID: 10497

Received: 29/07/2022

Respondent: Hallam Land Management

Agent: David Lock Associates

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

Hallam Land Management objects to the proposed vision and objectives. Hallam considers that the vision could be more spatially relevant and provide a meaningful context for the emerging themes, and objectives. In this context Hallam considers that the plan fails to be positively prepared, justified and effective.
Hallam consider that the vision is important for setting the context for the spatial strategy, which in itself must be able to demonstrate how the vision will be delivered. Hallam, in this context also objects to the spatial strategy which is considered to omit key elements of the most sustainable or deliverable option of those considered as set out in the Development Strategy Topic Paper.
According to the Development Strategy Topic Paper, the proposed spatial strategy is based on the variants of Option 2. Hallam considers that the spatial strategy is unlikely to realise each of the opportunities for sustainable development and investment identified both within and without the Option 2 Development Strategy. Equally, an overemphasis on a single theme, and rejection of other sustainable development opportunities, places additional risks in relation to delivery of homes and infrastructure – the prospect of which has been given secondary rather than primary consideration. Maximising and not just meeting basic delivery aspirations should be a leading factor in the identification of the preferred option.
Hallam welcomes the commitment in the vision to “enable the creation of strong, safe and resilient local communities in environments that facilitate healthy and independent living for all”. However this vision is not then carried through in the remainder of the vision statement – in particular in the geographic focus that is set out. In this context Hallam is concerned that the omission of further spatial detail may undermine the effectiveness of the Local Plan.

The desired outcome and focus on sustainable neighbourhoods implies sustainable developments in Bedford and Kempston and in other sustainable communities with strong sustainable credentials but this is not in the vision. In particular Hallam considers that the vision should include a focus on Bedford and Kempston and should embrace related settlements adjacent to the town which are well connected and be further enhanced through modest investment. While the vision highlights the planned outcome of the new town centre railway hub with direct links to Oxford and Cambridge, neither the plan nor the subsequent proposed policies identify and seek to realise the opportunities for delivering sustainable growth that this brings – especially in limited number of nearby locations with direct multimodal transport links to the hub. An example of just such a location is Clapham immediately to the north east of the Bedford Railway hub.