Object

Representation ID: 8381

Received: 03/09/2021

Respondent: Ms Linda Hiscott

Wilstead is in the process of developing a neighbourhood plan, currently there are only just over 1000 houses in the village. Further substantial development would completely alter the character of the community.
It is a rural community and in order to keep the rural feel it is important to maintain the large number of green spaces, and gaps between settlements which facilitate the open views into the surrounding countryside., which includes the Greensand ridge.
Wilstead has already had to accept development of 105 houses as its contribution to the current Local Plan. This is an increase of over 10% which has already threatened to overwhelm local facilities, local school and secondary school at Wixams are at capacity. There is no easy access to local healthcare, unless residents drive. Any increase in traffic would overwhelm existing roads which already become very congested, and speeding is a worry to local residents. The existing very stretched “Ribbon Development” of Wilstead would be lost if further development took place on the edges
There needs to be a distinct gap between the village and Wixams (to prevent “coalescence”) and between the communities of Wilstead, Elstow and Cotton End so that their historically separate identities are preserved. A number of the proposed options would impact on this. Wilstead should remain a village not become a “suburb of Bedford” or an “extension of Wilstead” The village has consisted for centuries of separate “Ends” (e.g. Duck End, Church End, Littleworth). These should remain separate to preserve that heritage. The proposed developments would impact on this.
Wilstead is still listed as a key Service centre, however there is no longer a local doctors’ surgery and only one local shop which incorporates a post office. Public transport is very limited and only covers the main road through the village linking Bedford to Luton. Both Wixams and Wilstead are included in the draft Local Plan as “Key Service Centres”. Nowhere else in the Borough are there 2 Key Service Centres located next to one another
The plan seems to indicate that all development should be to the south of the Borough consideration should be given to an equal distribution across all villages within the borough both North and south as well as the urban area.