Object

Representation ID: 6181

Received: 09/09/2021

Respondent: Ms Susan Driver

Site 704:

There should be no building on this site because of:

1. Extensive flooding and drainage issues on the south side of Wilstead village. (see 1a)

2. Building adjacent to Wilstead woods is a significant fire hazard and threat to any homes built in this area (as evidenced by recent fires in Turkey, Greece, Italy, California etc – this issue will not be confined to foreign shores). Future housing should not be built close to such a fire hazard. (see 2a)

3. You will destroy the very amenity Bedford Borough claim to be trying to develop – i.e. ‘Develop a strong and multi-functional urban and rural green infrastructure network’ (see 3a)


1a. There should be no building south of Wilstead village because the land there has significant drainage issues and is prone to flooding. Water flows off the hill on the south side of the village and has historically caused flooding to houses along the Cotton End Road and Whitworth Way. Many original Whitworth Way properties still suffer flooding to their gardens in spite of promises made by Bellway homes with their new site which should have eradicated that problem by creating a balancing ‘pond’ (which incidentally does not have any water in it). When you build on this kind of terrain, you cause knock-on effects to existing properties surrounding such sites because water is drained or diverted to neighbouring sites/properties. The experiences of Germany this year - with the very significant flooding endured by them - should be a warning to all planners not to allow building on areas where flooding and poor natural drainage are currently a problem. Climate change will only exacerbate these problems.

2a. This year there have been two illegal fires started in Wilstead woods that I know of. Also, Wilstead woods has had fire warning notices posted this summer. Anyone seeing film footage of the suburbs of Athens burning this year will be aware of the issues surrounding property sited close to flammable woodland.

3a. Bedford borough claims to be aiming to:-
facilitate ‘the development of more sustainable and inclusive places for local communities,………… and offer the opportunity to live healthier lifestyles.
Develop a strong and multi-functional urban and rural green infrastructure network through protecting, enhancing, extending and linking landscapes, woodland, biodiversity sites, heritage sites, green spaces and paths.
Improve access to green and blue infrastructure for the enjoyment and health of all.’
This green infrastructure already exists around the village of Wilstead, so why destroy this amenity by putting 500-2000 houses in and around Wilstead village? You will destroy the paths, open spaces and woodland which is currently enjoyed by both the residents of Wilstead and The Wixams. People also come from other areas to walk across the fields and into Wilstead woods. There are also bridleways which will be destroyed and deprive interested parties of their outdoor pursuits.

During the lockdowns of 2020, the footpaths surrounding Wilstead and Wilstead woods resembled Piccadilly Circus because so many people brought their young children to the woods for picnics, and took their children for rambles across the fields. People were dog walking, blackberry picking and seeking out bluebell patches in Wistead woods. Wixams no longer has a network of country walks because they have already been built on.

If you turn this village into an urban sprawl, you will destroy all of this. Wilstead village has a much older population than The Wixams. If you force a change of demographics on this village, you will destroy the quality of life available to older people who do not need or want the fast pace of a massive multi-generational urbanisation like The Wixams or Milton Keynes. Personally, I am no longer able to leap out of the way of groups of adolescents hurtling along the pavements on their push bikes as they emulate their BMX Olympic heroes at The Wixams.

The needs of older people should be taken into account and be a part of the overall housing strategy. Not all older people need institutional care facilities. Most of us can live independently in the right environment.