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Representation ID: 7181

Received: 17/09/2021

Respondent: The Palmer Family Trust

Agent: Phillips Planning Services

Our client owns the Land at The Chequers Public House, Hall End Road, Wootton, which is being promoted through the Call For Sites Process, Site ID 1503. This site is available for up to 50 dwellings.

This site was originally allocated in the Regulation 14 version of the Wootton Neighbourhood Plan but was removed in the Regulation 16 Plan due to an overall reduction in housing numbers. There is clearly potential for further growth in Wootton and it is highly likely that some of the additional housing will be allocated to this part of the Borough, particularly as Wootton is within the preferred growth strategy options 2a, 2b, and 2d. We contend that our client’s land at The Chequers should be considered as a prime site and earmarked in any Plan going forward as it has already been identified as suitable for release by the Parish Council, and was only removed due to a near term reduction in housing numbers. If additional growth is identified for Wootton, then we would contend this should be the first site brought forward to meet that need.

Our client also owns the Land at Tinkers Corner, Keeley Lane, Wootton, which is being promoted through the Call For Sites Process, Site ID 1498. This site is available for up to 50 dwellings.

Part of this site has an allocation for residential development in the Draft Wootton Neighbourhood Plan. Our client confirms that they are fully supportive of releasing the land for this purpose, however, they would also like to highlight that there is more land available in this location which has already been assessed as being sustainable and suitable for new residential development. This would be also suitable for the further growth identified in this location in three of the preferred options - 2a, 2b, and 2d, and additional numbers could follow on from the development of the 15 dwellings allocated in the Neighbourhood Plan. Our client has already made such representations under the Regulation 16 stage consultation, and we would contend that in identifying the land, it would be logical and sensible to re-evaluate the capacity of identified sites, going forward, to look at where more efficient use of that land could minimise the release of additional land elsewhere.

Wootton, is a highly sustainable settlement and is recognised in the Bedford Borough Local Plan 2030 as a Key Service Centre. Within the village are a number of services accessible by foot including a primary school, a middle school, medical centre, two supermarkets, a post office, a church, and three public houses, as well as multiple employment opportunities. In addition to this there are several bus stops that offer services into Bedford. These sites are therefore both in a very sustainable rural location, and new development will contribute towards the long-term vitality of the settlement and viability of these services.

It is well recognised that villages and rural settlements such as this make for attractive locations for self-build plots. Table 12 of the Housing Strategy 2021-2026 shows that there are currently 82 registrants who have registered a preference for Self-Build housing in Wootton and the surrounding areas. These sites are also being promoted for self-build through the Call for Sites process and provides an opportunity to provide self-build plots in a location where they are required.

Finally, the Neighbourhood Plan process has worked well in Wootton and our client would be happy to continue to work with the Parish Council to deliver more land to meet future growth needs.