Object

Representation ID: 5613

Received: 07/09/2021

Respondent: Brian Currie Ltd

Agent: Aragon Land and Planning

The current plan policy in the BBLP 2030 which was adopted in January 2020 plans provides polices and allocations until 2030. However, employment and the nature of the local economy has seen significant changes with regard to the needs for employment in the region and Bedford Borough. Some of these changes have also been influenced by the Pandemic which has resulted in a number of employment changes, including a significant growth in home working. The trend locally has also seen both a significant increase in large warehouse development on the edge of Bedford/A421 and second, very little or new employment in the older and historic employment areas whilst some re use has occurred very little inward investment in new build has taken place. There have been notable changes of use away from employment uses to retail and leisure opportunities within these historic employment areas as the market readjusts to try and re use some of these sites. Bedford with its connections to the M1 and A1 and central location is also well positioned to provide for logistics. The Pandemic has highlighted the importance and value of logistics and with retail changes this continues to be change in the type of employment being delivered.