Support

Representation ID: 7932

Received: 20/09/2021

Respondent: Pavenham Parish council

Whilst the Parish Council fully applauds and supports the laudable Vision and Objectives – there is just a slight residual concern as to whether they may be more idealistic than realistic.
2.2 As the Plan progresses, the Parish Council would welcome more practical information in relation to the following aspirations –
(a) Flood risk – that development in high flood risk will be avoided. Many local authorities across the country have a less than enviable record in this respect and whilst it is acknowledged that the Local Plan looks to such a strategy, it is one thing to have a policy – quite another to resist the overtures of developers intent on development and offering as inducements short-term financial gains in the context of the overriding need of the Borough Council to identify an increased number of sites for residential development. A “catch-22” scenario.
(b) The East-West Rail Arc - as a concept, is fully supported by the Parish Council. It is queried, however, whether in the context of the proposed link, the Borough Council can justifiably assume that as a result of the delivery of the Arc – if it is delivered - “up-front transport links” and “speedy internet” will also be delivered. Whilst “greater connectivity” must clearly be an objective, the Parish Council is firmly of the view that as currently proposed, local transport links to the north of the town will suffer and we fail to understand how the East-
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West Rail Arc will actually improve internet connectivity. This seems to us to be little more than political hype. It should be noted in this context, that the Parish Council opposes the northern option for East-West Rail which appears to the Parish Council to have no commercial nor environmentally sustainable justification.
(c) Bedford Town Centre – the Parish Council queries whether the entirely laudable objectives expressed by the Borough Council in terms of re-invigoration will ever be achieved. The Parish Council believes that the ‘town centre” as a concept, certainly for Bedford, is under serious threat – as and indicated by the Borough Council, requires both reinvigoration and possibly reinvention. The Parish Council supports the strengthening of independent outlets – ideally with improved parking provision at a lower or no cost? We do, however, believe that serious consideration should be given to residential growth within the town centre - particularly in light of the consequences of the Pandemic. Indeed, in this context, the Parish Council suggests that more emphasis should also be placed on hotel growth and tourism – the “staycation” effect. Bedford Borough has a great deal to offer in terms of attractions and tourism and the long-term impact of the pandemic ironically presents, in this context, positive opportunities for the Borough. The Parish Council notes the Borough Council intention to consider this matter further as noted in its Position Statements.
(d) Better places – the natural environment and the Embankment – these objectives of the Borough Council are fully supported by the Parish Council as indeed are the “Themes”, subject to the caveat sounded in relation to the East-West Rail link.
In this context we would also draw specific attention to the River Great Ouse Valley which it is suggested, should be formally addressed by the borough from its point of entry at Turvey to where it exits the borough in the East. The River Valley is the single most important environmental feature in the Borough – not just for its environmental and habitat value – but for the positive contribution that it offers for recreation and better understanding of the history of the area.