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

Representation ID: 7538

Received: 21/09/2021

Respondent: Bates Bros (Farms) Limited

Agent: Phillips Planning Services

Representation Summary:

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allow for sites to come forward adjoining the Settlement Policy Areas, therefore the allocation policy will be deemed out of date for that Parish/Settlement for the purposes of Development Control.

In respect of our clients’ sites at School Lane, Roxton, we are aware that during the progression of the Local Plan 2030, the parish decided not to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan and instead left the process of allocating land to the Borough via the Local Plan. This approach was successful, with a site being identified, in line with the preferences of the Parish Council, this passed through examination without issue, with the planning application coming forward reasonably swiftly.

Considering the success of the previous approach, if growth is allocated to Roxton, this may again be the preferred approach, but we would take this opportunity to highlight that should Roxton wish to prepare its own Neighbourhood Plan, our clients would welcome the opportunity to engage with the Parish to discuss the potential of the site.