Object

Representation ID: 6483

Received: 13/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Christopher Ashby

Objection to Site 1473 Land to the rear of no.85 Cotton End Road, Wilstead, Bedford MK45 3DP.

I object to this site being included in the 2040 Local Plan for the following reasons:

• Any proposed development on this site will create a major traffic problem in the village. The site entrance onto Cotton End Road is in a very dangerous location. It is very close to the junction with Whitworth Way, with a blind bend to the East, the Village School and the Post Office/General store to the West. It is also the area where school buses pick-up and drop-off and is extremely dangerous for children crossing the road at peak times. This stretch of road has been the site of several serious traffic accidents and has serious parking issues particularly at school times. If this were not bad enough the current issues along this stretch of road have been compounded by additional traffic due to the recent ’Pastures’ development of 70 homes to the rear Whitworth Way and now used as a regular ‘rat run’ linking Wixams to the A600.

• The proposed site is close to a flood plain. The existing ditches and land drains are unable to cope now let alone with the additional strain of any new developments.

• A wide variety of mammals and bird habitats will be threatened by this development including Hares, Deer and Bats. Barn Owls which are seen most evenings and are known to nest in the barns at Village Farm.

• The proposed site is outside the Settlement Policy Area for Wilstead and is intended to be kept as countyside. It would be out of keeping with the existing character and considerable history of the village and its community.

• Planning has already been refused several times for this site.

• Wilstead cannot cope with more development.