Object
Local Plan 2040 Draft Plan - Strategy options and draft policies consultation
Representation ID: 8911
Received: 30/09/2021
Respondent: Bedfordia Developments Ltd and Bedfordshire Charitable Trust Ltd
Agent: DLP Planning Limited
Policy TC2 (Out of centre development) – Comment
2.1 The policy sets out that new retail, leisure, and office development is required to locate in Bedford town centre, Kempston district centre and the local centres as defined in Policy TC1S – Hierarchy of town centres. If no suitable sites are available, edge of centre locations should be considered and only if suitable sites are not available should out of centre sites be considered. Principally we support Policy TC2 in terms of its support for out-of-centre development subject to an assessment of potential impacts. However, in terms of the opportunities and development of tourism and leisure uses required to achieve the Council’s Vision and Objectives the policy fails to provide sufficient flexibility in terms of how these should be assessed for the purposes of decision-taking or achieved as part of the wider strategy.
2.2 In terms of opportunities for rural tourism and recreation including the creation of green infrastructure, these aims should be secured through the allocation of our client’s strategic opportunity at Radwell Lakes.
2.3 Should the land not be selected for allocation Policy TC2 should be modified to introduce exceptions for retail and leisure development in order to provide support for development (such as rural tourism and recreation) that is not compatible with Town Centre locations but would complement the Plan’s wider strategy.
2.4 This exception should be provided subject to suitably worded policy criteria (such as arrangements for access and controls over future use) to ensure no adverse impact on Town Centre locations. Such criteria could be satisfied in the case of our client’s land at Radwell Lakes while also enhancing the benefits of other village-related growth.
2.5 This is necessary in order to provide flexibility so that the Local Plan can respond quickly to a changing commercial market.