Object

Representation ID: 8497

Received: 27/09/2021

Respondent: Gladman Developments Ltd

Renhold
Salph End, Renhold is less than half a mile from the Bedford Urban Area boundary and is therefore  considered  to  be  a  suitable  location  for  growth  within  each  of  the  emerging preferred options. Salph End was previously identified as a location suitable for growth in the region of 500 dwellings early stages of the adopted Bedford Local Plan 2030 without this  being  recognised  in  the  final  plan.  No  growth  ended  up  being  allocated  here  in  the  adopted Local Plan. Opportunities for growth in this location should be central to any strategy to meet the revised housing requirement over the period to 2040.
Through the Local Plan Review it would be appropriate for this previous recognition to be now realised with a proportionate amount of growth directed to Salph End as a component part of the spatial strategy within the Local Plan Review. The site Gladman is promoting in Salph  End  was  previously  a  preferred  option  (Site  198)  and  is  therefore  a  contender  for  allocation in the Local Plan Review.
Shortstown
Shortstown is well located close to the A421 corridor at the southern edge of the Bedford Urban Area with employment and recreational facilities close by. The village is defined as a  ‘Key  Service  Centre’  comprising  a  good  range  of  services  and  facilities  and  being  well  connected to larger town centres by public transport and cycling. It is acknowledged to be a sustainable location for growth within Bedford’s existing settlement hierarchy and should play  a  central  role  in  meeting  the  revised  growth  requirement  to  2040.  Gladman  has  submitted separate representations relating to Land off The High Road, Shortstown. The location of the site, to the north of the settlement would represent a logical extension in a location  that  is  well  related  to  the  services  and  facilities  in  Shortstown  and  the  Bedford  Urban Area to the north.
Wootton
Wootton  is  a  key  service  centre  in  the  southern  transport  corridor  where  an  element  of  further growth is being considered in 3 of the 4 preferred strategies. Gladman agree that further growth should be directed to Wootton through the Local Plan Review as no further growth  is  directed  to  Wootton  as  part  of  the  adopted  Bedford  Local  Plan  2030  due  to  existing commitments and completions at the start of the plan period.
Gladman recognise that the parish is preparing a neighbourhood plan but notwithstanding the outcomes of the pending examination, this should not dictate the emerging strategy for Wootton through the Local Plan Review which will cover an extended plan period and need to meet a greater housing requirement. Growth in Wootton should certainly form a part  of  the  strategy  for  the  Local  Plan  Review,  and  as  recognised  through  the  site  assessment work undertaken by the Wootton Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, land at Hall End Road is a strong contender for allocation for residential development.
Willington
Willington  is  a  designated  rural  service  centre  situated  in  the  eastern  transport  corridor,  which in one of the four preferred options being considered. Whichever strategy is ultimately carried forward, Willington is a sustainable settlement on the A421 corridor and can play a role in sustainably accommodating the level of growth needed in the Borough over the plan period. New homes and accessible open space in this location will also assist in sustaining and enhancing the services and facilities in the village as well as contributing to the local and affordable housing needs of the village and the Borough.