Option 2a - Development in and around the urban area, plus A421 transport corridor with rail-based growth – south

Huntingdonshire District Council in principle support this option as it would meet the identified housing and employment needs of the Borough in full. It is also noted that the Draft Sustainability Appraisal (June 2021) scores option 2a more positively in sustainability terms than options 2b, 2c and 2d. SA Objective 5 ‘Promote strong, sustained and balanced economic growth, stimulating job creation across a range of sectors’ and SA Objective 15 ‘Reduce the need to travel and promote sustainable modes of transport’ were both scored more highly in option 2a than the other preferred options.

Option 2a would also promote the vitality and viability of Bedford town centre as it concentrates development in close proximity to the town centre along established transport routes. This option utilises existing transport infrastructure, in particular the five railway stations located within and to the south of Bedford which would facilitate public transport use assisting Bedford Borough in contributing to the UK’s targets on carbon emission reductions. It would also coordinate strategic growth with a potential/proposed new Bedford station built to the north to accommodate the East-West rail line. Having development at scale within a contained radius improves opportunities to incorporate and finance new and enhanced public transport routes to serve new and existing communities and maximises the use of existing social and community infrastructure.