Object

Representation ID: 8851

Received: 29/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Alex Simpson

Agent: Bidwells

171 hectares of new employment land will be required up to 2040 according to Chapter 3 of the consultation document, with 48 hectares of employment supply already identified in the District. The emerging Local Plan will therefore need to identify 123 hectares of land in order to meet employment needs.
3.2 The Local Plan 2040 should include an appropriate buffer on the employment requirement to support a choice of sites in the market, and deliver a range of site typologies in order to meet different occupier requirements. At present, Chapter 3 of the consultation document acknowledges that there is a shortfall of 123 hectares of land, but does not give consideration to this matter. It is considered that a buffer of 10% should be applied to the employment need requirement and the emerging Local Plan should be looking to allocate 135 hectares of employment land.
3.3 The Oxford to Cambridge Arc is a key priority for National Government and Bedford Borough is located in the centre of this geographical area. The Arc vision proposes a significant level of residential and economic growth and it is expected that Bedford Borough will contribute to this agenda. Given the emphasis being placed on growth, it is expected that Bedford Borough should be planning for additional employment areas, on top of planned need, in order to fulfil the requirements set out in the Arc Vision.
3.4 The employment land requirement in the Local Plan 2040 should be flexible in order to ensure that needs are met and the overall approach should plan for the broader long-term economic aspirations for growth in the area.
Summary
The Council should include a suitable buffer for the amount of employment land requirement in order to create flexibility in the supply.
● The wider economic aspirations of National Government given Bedford Borough’s prominent position at the centre of the Oxford to Cambridge Arc need to be planned for.