Support

Representation ID: 6656

Received: 14/09/2021

Respondent: Bedfordshire Great Ouse Valley Environmental Trust

Beds GOVET believe the vision and associated themes are good but we have concerns about how Council will achieve this at the same time as the proposed level of housing growth and economic development.
More information is required as to how the net zero borough is to be achieved. In particular details regarding plans for insulation, solar power, heat pumps, electrification of heating cooking and transport.
For transport we need stronger actions to support cycling and pedestrians.
More information is also needed regarding flood risks and how these are to be managed and risk minimized. For example, more detailed consideration needs to be given to the permeability of driveways and road surfaces and the introduction of swales and ponds to reduce flow.
River Great Ouse: The vision, as stated, refers to the River Great Ouse and its riverside villages forming the backbone of the boroughs rich green and blue infrastructure. This comes across as a very weak statement for such a valuable and important County asset. It fails to reflect the historical, cultural, symbolic value and ecological importance not only of the River Great Ouse but the Great Ouse Valley overall across the borough and Bedfordshire. Protection of the river and the Great Ouse Valley is of great concern to all of the parishes along the river.
Protection of the Great Ouse valley should be given the highest priority and made a key objective in the Local Plan 2040. Beds GOVEG urges Bedford borough Council to develop policies and plans now to:
• Protect the river from potential environmental damage from the effects of sewage outflows and agricultural runoff, such as nitrates and phosphates
• Prevent any developments which may cause damage or adversely impact biodiversity in the river and the Valley as a whole along its entire length
• Enhance its role in flood management
• Enhance its value as an amenity which increases the well-being of all communities that use the river.
Council should support actions to enable the Great Ouse Valley to achieve the designation of protected Natural Landscape.