Support

Representation ID: 3811

Received: 26/08/2021

Respondent: Mr Adam Brown

In options 2b,2c and 2d you have indicated developments at Dennybrook site next to Wyboston.

I think the representation of this development in your option maps is on consistent with the areas shown south of Bedford, two stars does not denote the geographical spread of this development.


Dennybrook is a proposed development of over 10,000 home which would lye between Wyboston and Colmworth. This is approximately the size of Biggleswade or 66% that of St Neots. The homes would bring about 20,000 extra cars, overwhelming the local road network. This proposal is hugely excessive and would totally erase the very rural nature and its historic developments

The land comprising of 2400 acres site is largely Grade AA agricultural land, growing essential crops. There is no brown field element to this site, a priority under the Governments national policy framework. Other rejected proposals for LP2040 such as Twinwoods include brownfield elements and should be prioritized.

The site lies in a very rural area with few access roads and minimal infrastructure. Apart from the east end of the site near St Neots, the only road access points are unclassified roads incapable of carrying traffic in volume. Several roads surrounding and within the site are single track roads, yet none are scheduled for widening

The scale of this project would create significant disruption from construction traffic extending beyond 2055, that is an unacceptable burden on the neighbouring communities.

The site has comparatively poor access to Bedford itself, many residents will favour St Neots which adds further economic damage to Bedford town Centre which is in serious decline.

There is no shortage of high-quality development opportunities for inclusion into LP40. The call for sites by Bedford Borough Council returned over 430 responses totaling in excess of 70,000 plots against a need for 12,500 for the completion of the plan. There s no need to consider something as large and destructive as the Dennybrook proposal.

The location of the site means that, for employment purposes in particular, many residents will be commuting above average distances and will almost wholly reliant on private cars. The distances for most would not encourage walking cycling and while there is a new railway station planned for the area, possibly around Tempsford or Little Barford, this will not be close enough to avoid using the car for access. This contradicts the first and last mile objective in the plan.

BBC noted in their assessment of this site in 2019 “then site is located in a relatively convenient location for vehicle journeys in the strategic network, which may be a deterrent to non- motorized travel”. In no way can this site be considered to an environmentally sound or sustainable solution to BBC housing needs.

It is difficult to understand how the site would contribute greatly to BBC housing need when potential residents would be more likely to be attracted form the St Neots area , particularly those reliant on methods of transport other than car, thus the site will likely fail to support the Bedford housing needs in proportion to the development.#

The BBC needs to consider and review options for developments north east of Bedford, previously considered along the A6 road corridor, this would even the burden and transport infrastructure challenges