Object

Site Assessment Pro Formas

Representation ID: 7778

Received: 22/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Christopher Ashby

Representation Summary:

I object to this site being included in the 2040 Local Plan for the following reasons:
• The proposed entrance to the site is via Duck End Lane which is a single track road with limited passing places and an industrial farm housing several other businesses at its end. Heavy vehicle movements in the lane already causes a hazard. Building a housing development with 150 plus houses having to use this lane will cause traffic chaos
• Residents of any new development on this site would not have easy access on foot to the centre of the village, which would result in further use of motor vehicles increasing the parking issues in and around the roads adjacent to the village crossroads. Not environmentally friendly.
• Duck End Lane and adjacent fields are known to flood with the existing ditches and land drains struggling to cope even now. With global warming and the prediction of a wetter climate causing more regular flash floods, the concreting over of such a vast area of green spaces must be considered and avoided in this area.
• A wide variety of mammals and bird habitats will be threatened by this development including hares, deer and bats. Barn owls which are seen most evenings are known to nest in the barns at Village Farm.
• The proposed site is outside the Settlement Policy Area for Wilstead and which is intended to be kept as countryside. Wilstead is a rural community and it is vital to maintain its rural feel with green spaces and strategic gaps between settlements. This will effectively join Wilstead to ‘Duck End’ which goes against Bedford Borough policy of keeping ‘Ends’ separated to preserve their heritage. It would be out of keeping with the existing character and considerable history of Wilstead and its community.
• Wilstead cannot cope with more development.