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Site Assessment Pro Formas

Representation ID: 8860

Received: 29/09/2021

Respondent: Woodland Manor Hotel

Agent: Phillips Planning Services

Representation Summary:

Our client controls the Land at Woodlands Manor, Clapham which is being promoted through the Call For Sites Process, Site ID 683. This site is available for up to 4 dwellings. A planning application was progressed in 2019 and demonstrated there was no technical barrier to the sites delivery, planning permission was only withheld on the basis that the site was outside the settlement envelope and the Local Plan housing policies were deemed up to date. The site has therefore been assessed as deliverable.

Clapham, is a highly sustainable settlement and is recognised in the Bedford Borough Local Plan 2030 as a Key Service Centre. Within the village are a number of services accessible by foot including a primary school, medical centre, a supermarket, a post office, a church, several restaurants and takeaways, and two pubs, as well as multiple employment opportunities. In addition to this there are several bus stops that offer services into Bedford. The site is therefore in a very sustainable rural location, and new development will contribute towards the long-term vitality of the settlement and viability of these services.

Being a smaller development, the site can be delivered quickly and therefore can make an early contribution to housing delivery in the borough. Furthermore, it is well recognised that villages and rural settlements such as this make for attractive locations for self-build plots. This in turn encourages self-build housing targets for the area to be met.

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 15 registrants who have registered a preference for Self-Build housing in Clapham. This site is also being promoted for self-build through the Call for Sites process and provides an opportunity to deliver self-build plots in a location where they are required.