Object

Representation ID: 5713

Received: 07/09/2021

Respondent: Mrs Elizabeth Sands

Option 2D refers to the transport corridor – East: land within the parishes of Cardington, Cople, Great Barford, Little Barford, Roxton, Willington and Wyboston (750 dwellings) and up to 28ha of employment lane.
The previous 2030 Local Plan allocated 500 houses to Great Barford and 50 dwellings to Willington despite the existing traffic congestion and limited facilities in both villages.
The emphasis on rural growth in Option 2D rather than the planning expansion of urban areas seems contrary to the Bedford Borough Council’s own Sustainability Appraisal findings, that urban growth was preferable for reducing emissions, providing for needs and access to facilities, reducing the need to travel and promoting sustainable travel options. To quote the report “The worst performing … was the village related growth component”.
Adoption of Option 2D would result in a scale of development which seems unsustainable with resulting pressure on the existing road network, on village facilities where there are any, 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 of 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 could 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 care facilities, community halls, green spaces and other services;
II) Creating strong safe & resilient communities.
III) Encouraging a change in travel behavior by focusing development on rail based growth with 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