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

Representation ID: 8094

Received: 02/09/2021

Respondent: G Morroll

Agent: Phillips Planning Services

Representation Summary:

Our clients own the Land East of Heddings Farm, The Lane, Wyboston, which is being promoted through the Call For Sites Process, Site ID 606. This site is available for up to three dwellings, which could be delivered as self-build dwellings.

The site location falls in line with strategy Option 2d, as Wyboston forms part of the eastern parishes of the Borough. Wyboston has excellent connectivity to the A421 Growth Corridor, which is expected to see large levels of growth over the coming years.

The site is within walking distance of a village hall, convenience store and subway sandwich shop, and McDonalds Restaurant, as well as numerous employment opportunities in the locality. There is a bus stop accessible by foot that connects the site to Biggleswade, Sandy, and St Neots. St Neots can be easily accessed from the site at a longer walking / short cycling distance, and provides a range of services, employment opportunities, and transport links. The site is also within walking distance of the X5 bus stop on the A1 which has a high frequency service travelling to Oxford, Bicester, Buckingham, Milton Keynes, Bedford, St Neots, and Cambridge from early in the morning until late at night, 7 days per week.

The site is therefore in a sustainable rural location, and development of this site will contribute towards the long-term vitality of the settlement and viability of these services.

Being a smaller site for up to 3 dwellings, the scheme can be delivered quickly and therefore make an early contribution towards housing delivery.

It is well recognised that villages and rural settlements such as this make for attractive locations for self-build plots. Table 12 of the Housing Strategy 2021-2026 shows that there are currently 45 registrants who have registered a preference for Self-Build housing in Wyboston and the surrounding areas. The site is being promoted for self-build through the Call For Sites process and provides an opportunity to provide self-build plots in a location where they are required.

A planning application was progressed in 2019 but was ultimately refused permission as the Borough Council had adopted the Local Plan 2030 and were able, at that time, to demonstrate a 5-year supply of housing land. The scheme progressed to appeal, and while the appeal was dismissed, that was solely down to the adoption of an up-to-date plan. The appeal did not find any technical reason the site could not come forward for development. On this basis we contend that should the emerging strategy identify, that growth should be allocated at Wyboston, and/or sites should come forward to meet the identified need for self-build plots, then this site has been proved as deliverable and can address that requirement. Please see our comments in respect of proposed policy SB1.