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Local Plan 2040 Draft Plan - Strategy options and draft policies consultation
Representation ID: 7152
Received: 17/09/2021
Respondent: Mr Richard Hull
Agent: Phillips Planning Services
Neighbourhood Planning – Paragraphs 1.46 to 1.51
It is noted that Neighbourhood Planning has been largely successful in Bedford Borough, and that discussions with the parishes are ongoing as to whether this remains a tool that communities wish to use to allocate new development in the next plan period. Our client raises no objection to this approach, and would welcome the opportunity to engage with the Parish Council on the benefits the site can offer. However, if this method of allocation is chosen going forward, it is important that a clear policy structure is created to define the level of growth to be allocated by each community. We would also argue that should those plans not come forward in a timely manner, such as within 3 years of the adoption of the Local Plan 2040, the policy should allow for sites to come forward adjoining the Settlement Policy Areas, therefore the allocation policy will be deemed out of date for that Parish/Settlement for the purposes of Development Control.
Oakley have successfully prepared a Neighbourhood Plan under the Local Plan 2030, and taken this through to being “made”. The adopted Neighbourhood Plan allocated up to 40 dwellings over 2 identified sites. However, it is recognised that this plan will cover between 2019 and 2030, and therefore in line with the Local Plan 2040 review, there is potential for the Parish to consider future site allocations through a Neighbourhood Plan review.
In this regard our client would welcome the opportunity to meet with the Parish to discuss the potential of his site at Lovell Road and how it can build on the objective of the existing Neighbourhood Plan. The site can deliver up to 20 dwellings on a site already surrounded by development and as an extension to the existing development built on the neighbouring land. The site would deliver housing without resulting in any adverse impact on the historic core of the village, and as such would be a logical selection.