Comment
Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 Plan for Submission
Representation ID: 9078
Received: 29/06/2022
Respondent: Mrs Cheryl Tiddeman
To summarise, in the section 2.1 of the Local Plan 2040, it states that "development will be sensitively planned to compliment the borough's natural environment" and "development will reflect each area's unique local character". I think this four-storey ‘block’ building located close to the road will be imposing and will not suite the area of its residential surroundings. Please consider a building which has two-storeys, is set further back from Brickhill Drive and has a pitched roof, and therefore will be similar to other residential buildings in the area.
This was my response to the public consultation from IMPAKT Housing and Support and Verve Developments back in April 2022:
My main concern is that the appearance of the proposed building and its position, whilst in some aspects is similar to those buildings in Manton Heights such as the Travelodge, is not in keeping with the buildings and surroundings of the bordering parish of Brickhill.
My particular dislikes of the building are as follows:
• It is too tall. It is a four-storey building, of which there are none in the immediate surroundings of Brickhill Parish, and will be taller than the Travelodge across the car park. The building will impose above the tree line and detract from the pleasant surroundings of the green grassed area next to the car park on Brickhill Drive. It will stand out on the elevated position at the top of the hill in an unsightly way. The key information seems to suggest that a building which “promotes its own stature and independence” and has a “visible and important insertion into the skyline” is something to be praised. However, as the site is approached travelling uphill from Brickhill Drive, the building will not blend in with the area, and will spoil the natural skyline.
• It is positioned too close to Brickhill Drive. “The design is intended to reflect the scale, mass and overall visual appearance of the existing buildings at Bedford Heights”. However, the Travelodge is set back from the road and so, whist being a three-storey cuboid-shaped building, does not impose on the road. Putting the proposed building close to the road and along the eastern perimeter of the car park will reduce the feeling of open space which is so pleasant to those who use the footpath and grass space adjacent to the car park.
• It is not in keeping with its surroundings to the south and east. The large cuboid-shaped appearance of the proposed building is not in keeping with the other buildings found in the surrounding residential streets such as Gainsborough Rise, Eagle Gardens, Brickhill Drive and Curlew Crescent. Properties on these roads are two-storey, detached residential buildings with pitched roofs. The only flats in the area are smaller two storey blocks of properties situated on the corner and behind Mallard Hill and therefore, due to their smaller size, blend in with the other residential properties.