Comment

Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 Plan for Submission

Representation ID: 9497

Received: 29/07/2022

Respondent: The Forest of Marston Vale Trust

Representation Summary:

The existing government designation of the Forest of Marston Vale (one of England's Community Forests) and the corresponding approved Forest Plan provides a pre-existing framework for pursuing a strongly environmentally-led approach to any vision for further development within the Forest area (including the proposed South of Bedford policy area). We welcome the positive references to the Forest of Marston Vale within this vision, but believe that there should be stronger, more explicit references to development being "environmentally-led" in this area, so as to ensure full alignment with the approved Forest Plan.

Full text:

The existing government designation of the Forest of Marston Vale (one of England's Community Forests) and the corresponding approved Forest Plan provides a pre-existing framework for pursuing a strongly environmentally-led approach to any vision for further development within the Forest area (including the proposed South of Bedford policy area). We welcome the positive references to the Forest of Marston Vale within this vision, but believe that there should be stronger, more explicit references to development being "environmentally-led" in this area, so as to ensure full alignment with the approved Forest Plan.