Support

Representation ID: 5558

Received: 06/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Robert Bellew

I am commenting on the short-listed four variations of spatial strategy option 2.

Option 2d

Option 2d refers to the transport corridor - east: land within the parishes of Cardington, Cople, Great Barford, Little Barford, Roxton, Willington & Wyboston (750 dwellings) and up to 28 ha of employment land. The previous 2030 plan allocated 500 houses to Great Barford and 50 to Willington despite the existing traffic congestion and limited facilities in both villages. The emphasis on rural growth in option 2d rather than the planned expansion of urban areas runs contrary to the Bedford Borough Council’s own Sustainability Appraisal finding that urban growth was best for reducing emissions, providing for needs and access to facilities, reducing the need to travel and promoting sustainable travel. The worst performing … was the village related growth component. Adoption of Option 2d would result in a scale of development which is unsustainable with resulting pressure on the roads, on village facilities, on the landscape and on village identities.

Option 2a provides for high option rail based growth which would be both sustainable and contribute to the decarbonisation of Bedford Borough Council. Modern infrastructure already exists at Wixams to support an increased number of dwellings.

Option 2b provides for a lower level rail based growth within the parishes of Kempston Hardwick, Stewartby & Wixams. The proposed new settlements at either Little Barford or Wyboston would make best use of the new East-West rail station to support sustainable economic growth and employment opportunity within the Oxford-Cambridge Arc. Modern infrastructure would be provided within the proposed new settlements for the benefit of the communities living there.

Option 2c does not make best use of the housing, employment and sustainable transport opportunities within the parishes of Kempston Hardwick, Stewartby and Wixams.

Adoption of either option 2a or 2b would best support Bedford Borough Council’s policies of:
i) Delivering well planned, sustainable growth supported by appropriate infrastructure – schools, health facilities, community halls, green spaces and other services
ii) Creating strong, safe & resilient local communities
iii) Encouraging a change in travel behavior by focusing development on rail based growth within the A421 transport corridor
iv) Moving towards making Bedford Borough Council carbon neutral
v) Promoting economic growth and the provision of high quality housing and infrastructure within the Oxford-Cambridge Arc