Object

Representation ID: 8045

Received: 02/09/2021

Respondent: Ms Carrie Scott

I was rather pleased to see the proposals in a nice, glossy document. They all seem to focus mainly on urban area development, which makes sense. However, these proposals don’t match with those of East West Rail, apart from the alarming suggestion of new developments at Wyboston and/or Little Barford, and this is somewhat confusing. Is it time you consulted properly with EWR?

I cannot see the benefit to developing new settlements at all. What facilities will be provided for so many extra people? There appears to be a large area of “employment” included with these suggestions, but “employment” is, at best, extremely vague. Are you agreeing with EWR about a new science park? Whatever this “employment” is, has any study been carried out to see whether any “employment” would be used. Or would it become another cluster of empty buildings that nobody wants. Please take into account that since the Pandemic, many more people and businesses are actually working in office space, and this is not likely to grow, given it makes it cheaper for businesses who have woken up to the fact that most people can be trusted to work even if they’re not under employers’ noses!

Any developments away from urban areas will mean more traffic, not just on the main roads, but on the already-overused minor roads in surrounding areas. Your own Sustainability Appraisal found that urban growth was best for reducing emissions, providing needs and access to facilities, reducing travel needs, and promoting sustainable travel.

Therefore, the only sensible option in the nice, glossy document is 2a, where all expansion is around the urban area.