Object

Representation ID: 7260

Received: 01/09/2021

Respondent: Wyboston Lakes Ltd

Agent: Brown & Co Barfords

The proposals outlined above in conjunction with the existing approved development will
achieve a sustainable mixed-use development and paragraph 105 of the National Planning
Policy Framework notes, such developments can have the benefit of “limiting the need to
travel and offering a genuine choice of transport modes. This can help to reduce congestion
and emissions, and improve air quality and public health. However, opportunities to maximise
sustainable transport solutions will vary between urban and rural areas, and this should be
taken into account in both plan-making and decision-making”.
The proposals outlined will help meet the more immediate housing need, improve local job
opportunities, and help stimulate sustainable growth in both Bedford Borough and
Huntingdonshire. It will also have the benefits of the suggested new settlement proposals in
terms of proximity of the A421 transport corridor and a proposed new rail station at St.
Neots/Tempsford, with further advantages such as the use of previously developed land,
existing infrastructure, and nearby facilities. Additionally with its smaller scale it is potentially
suited to smaller developers and paragraph 69 of the National Planning Policy Framework
notes small and medium sized sites can make an important contribution to meeting the
housing requirement of an area and are often built out relatively quickly.
The Borough Council’s June 2021 Development Strategy Topic Paper identifies the Council
will have to make a ‘step change’ in the delivery of new housing growth. However, a new
settlement at Wyboston and/or Little Barford will have a relatively long lead in time.
Additionally, four of the five EWR routes being consulted upon pass through the Little Barford
site, and the deliverability of this proposal and the potential number of dwellings it might
deliver will require further assessment following the decision on the route alignment. Given
these uncertainties, the Wyboston Lakes Complex proposal outlined above is readily available
and can come forward now, without being dependant on strategic infrastructure decisions.
The proposals are therefore able to assist in meeting the more immediate housing and
employment land shortfall in advance of the potential longer-term settlements coming
forward.