O&H wish to make two points on the section relating to stepped growth, the principle of which is broadly supported.

Firstly, the Council are advancing the position that their development strategy is dependent on the completion of East West Rail improvements. It is assumed, given the cut-off date of 2030, that they are referring to the anticipated improvements that should soon be moving to a statutory consultation process in advance of submitting a Development Consent Order application. However, the improvements planned by virtue of the Transport and Works Act Order 2020 could be delivered in advance of / instead of the next round of improvements and will also impact on in-migration and housing demand.

It should not be assumed that the south of Bedford becomes an unsustainable location if the East West Rail proposals from Bletchley to Oxford fail to materialise as currently anticipated. Paragraph 4.28 is supported as it provides flexibility in relation to a review of the Local Plan.

Secondly, it should be acknowledged that growth post 2030 would need to be planned from the mid 2020s onwards. Work on the proposed Supplementary Planning Document should feature early in the Local Development Scheme and be in place by 2025/26 to allow for the preparation of outline planning applications well in advance of the 2030 date. If required, evidence can be provided on the lead-in times for strategic outline planning applications and their start dates.