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Local Plan 2040 Draft Plan - Strategy options and draft policies consultation

Representation ID: 6650

Received: 14/09/2021

Respondent: Bedford Borough Councillor

Representation Summary:

EMPLOYMENT
6.28: [6.2 – 6.8]
The recent proliferation of warehousing units, in particular in villages around the A421, such as Wootton and Wixams, suggests too great a reliance on this sector for economic development activity. While recognising that the switch from town centre to online retail requires additional warehousing capacity the Borough is failing to recognise the negatives for communities while gaining financial rewards for itself.
The over dependence on warehousing does not benefit local residents. Apart from the noise and safety issues of an endless train of HGV’s driving past their homes there is little or no local employment benefit. For example local residents were told that Innovation Park provide local jobs; it hasn’t; apart from being mainly poorly paid warehouse floor jobs the great majority of employees/agency workers do not come from the locality. This is not sustainable development and the reliance on road freight is at odds with the Borough’s stated climate change goals.
Accordingly we welcome the apparent change of emphasis as set out in Para 6.8. There needs to be much greater diversity with regard to economic development; too great a reliance on warehousing poses risks to the economic well-being of the Borough.