Object
Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 Plan for Submission
Representation ID: 9404
Received: 29/07/2022
Respondent: O&H Land
Agent: Varsity Town Planning
Legally compliant? Yes
Sound? No
Duty to co-operate? Yes
O&H support the South of Bedford Policy Area but there is currently no firm proposal for a Stewartby Hardwick station. The development strategy should continue to focus on this area but recognise the potential that already exists along the Marston Vale Line.
O&H support the South of Bedford Policy Area but there is currently no firm proposal for a Stewartby Hardwick station. O&H are generally supportive of the East West Rail scheme and agree that it will bring economic and sustainability benefits along the route. However, at the time of writing, there is no certainty about what the shape of the proposals will be along the Bletchley to Bedford section.
Sustainable, rail based growth is a real possibility in the area to the south west of Bedford even without the enhancements being talked about by East West Rail Co. The development strategy should continue to focus on this area but recognise the potential that already exists along the Marston Vale Line.
It is acknowledged that there is not currently a firm proposal for Wixams station but the planning application has been officially scoped and a planning application is anticipated later this year.
Further, the wording of the criterion is not clear as it refers to “community building”. O&H assumes that at this policy level the Council are referring to the creation of a new community rather than a physical community building.