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Representation ID: 7540

Received: 03/09/2021

Respondent: Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust

Agent: DLP Planning Limited

These representations to the ‘Bedford Local Plan 2040 – Draft Plan Strategy Options and Draft Policies (Regulation 18) Consultation’ have been prepared by the DLP Planning Ltd (DLP) acting on behalf of the Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust (CMAT) in respect of its interests at Lincroft Academy, Oakley.
Submission of these representations, firstly, sets out the immediate need for the expansion of Lincroft Academy to support the intake of approximately 240no. new pupils per annum within the pupil roll, based on current development commitments, and to emphasise that this requirement should be reflected in the policies of the Local Plan 2040.
Secondly the representations support the reclassification of Oakley as a Key Service Centre within the Council’s settlement hierarchy. This is considered to better reflect the settlement’s important role, including in the provision of both primary and secondary education to a wide surrounding area, alongside other services, and facilities. Reclassification is also considered consistent with providing measures through the policies of the development plan to enable Lincroft Academy to address the likely potential requirement for further expansion in the future.
CMAT’s interests include the existing Lovell Road Playing Fields located on land East of Station Road, which form part of the existing facilities of the Lincroft Academy (formerly operated by the Sharnbrook Academy Federation (SAF)).
CMAT’s interests on Land East of Station Road were submitted (via SAF) to the Council as part of the Summer 2020 Call for Sites Consultation. Details were provided as part of a single site boundary also comprising land owned by the Bedfordshire Charitable Trust and promoted on its behalf by Bedfordia Property. The land East of Station Road has subsequently been considered as one site for the purposes of the Council’s site assessment process (assigned Site ID: 839 and 832).
These representations confirm that CMAT, in principle, support indicative land-use proposals for a ‘one-site’ solution, which incorporates the land East of Station Road including that controlled by CMAT, i.e., the Lincroft Academy site and the arrangements for a ‘land swap’ agreed with the adjoining land owners, The Bedfordshire Charitable Trust which would allow for the creation of a single, self-contained educational campus and provide the opportunity to expand the existing site and facilities, including the relocation of existing sports pitches and other operational improvements to the school including a new school access and parking/circulation space.
Submission of these representations reflects that negotiations between the parties are advanced, ongoing and expect an agreement that will satisfy the Education and Skills Funding Agency regarding the enhancement of facilities to be achieved, retain the support of other stakeholders (including Sport England), and recognise the wider benefits of developing the larger site.
As such, these representations should be read alongside submissions on behalf of Bedfordia Property and the Bedfordshire Charitable Trust outlining the indicative proposals for development on land East of Station Road. The details within this submission have been provided with the agreement of the Bedfordshire Charitable Trust and Bedfordia Property.
This Report addresses the Council’s consultation proposals and identifies that the approach proposed insofar as it relates to Oakley is unsound and fails to make sufficient provision or community facilities (including education infrastructure). Modifications are suggested to enable preparation of a version of the draft Local Plan 2040 that addresses the issues identified, ahead of further consultation and subsequent Submission and Examination.
This Report, which should be read alongside any supporting documents and appendices referred to, addresses our instructions to cover the following topics:
• Section 2 provides further background to the current requirement for expansion at Lincroft Academy and whether this is reflected in the evidence base for the emerging Local Plan 2040
• Section 3 considers the Council’s settlement hierarchy and the current and expected contribution of Lincroft Academy to Oakley’s role and function, both now and in the future
• Section 5 summarises the potential benefits of indicative land use proposals on land East of Station Road.