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Representation ID: 5551

Received: 06/09/2021

Respondent: Mr R Pinfold

Agent: Phillips Planning Services

Our client controls the Land East of Box End Road which is being promoted through the Call For Sites Process, Site ID 743. This site is available for up to 5 dwellings.

The neighbouring settlement of Bromham, is a highly sustainable settlement and is recognised in the Bedford Borough Local Plan 2030 as a Key Service Centre.

The site is located in Kempston Rural but is only a short walk from the Key Service Centre of Bromham, which has a variety of services including a primary school, medical centre, a convenience store, a post office, a church, takeaways and two pubs, as well as multiple employment opportunities. In addition to this there are several bus stops that offer services into Bedford. The site is therefore is a very sustainable rural location, and new development can contribute towards the long-term vitality of the settlement and viability of these services.

Being a smaller development, the site can be delivered quickly and therefore can make an early contribution to housing delivery in the borough.

Furthermore, it is well recognised that villages and rural settlements such as this make for attractive locations for self-build plots. Table 12 of the Housing Strategy 2021-2026 shows that there are currently 82 registrants who have registered a preference for Self-Build housing in Kempston Rural and the surrounding areas. The site is being promoted for self-build through the Call For Sites process and provides an opportunity to provide self-build plots in a location where they are required. The site is an ideal location to provide five Self-Build plots where they are wanted.