Object

Representation ID: 9596

Received: 27/07/2022

Respondent: Andrew and Robert Tusting

Agent: Fisher German LLP

Legally compliant? No

Sound? Not specified

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

Site 42
This representation has been prepared on behalf of XXX in respect of their land interests to the west of Odell Road, Harrold as illustrated on Figure 1 below – the site is edged red. This site is an omission site in the emerging Bedford Local Plan 2040. The site is considered
suitable for allocation in the scenario that further housing sites are required to enable the Local
Plan to be found sound (as we consider to be the case as set out within these representations). Harrold is a sustainable settlement designated in the adopted Local Plan as a Rural Service Centre.
Harrold is the highest scoring Rural Service Centre in the Borough (59 points), scoring only a few
points less than settlements designated as Key Service Centres (Settlement Hierarchy Paper
2018), such as Great Barford which score 62 points. The adopted Local Plan seeks to deliver 25 -
50 dwellings in Harrold through the emerging Neighbourhood Plans (this is in contrast to the 500
dwellings in the Key Service Centres, which Harrold falls just outside of). In historic iterations of the Bedford Local Plan (2015 consultation paper) the Council produced evidence which
demonstrated that the Rural Service Centres such as Harrold could each accommodate up to 150
dwellings. The Council recognised the benefits of delivering larger developments in the Rural
Service Villages advising that:
“Some villages have experienced the loss of vital services such as shops and pubs in recent
years. Changing the current strategy of restraint in the rural policy area could increase the
population and change the age profile of rural villages. An increase in activity and spending
power would support existing vulnerable village services and facilities, and possibly lead to
new provision. Furthermore, larger developments would be likely to bring with them a range
of types and sizes of housing, which would provide more choice for existing residents
wanting to stay within a village but down-size.” (Development Strategy and Site Selection
Methodology Background Paper, September 2015)
1.3 The draft policies at that time supported such an allocation. Despite this latent capacity, the
Council ultimately sought to reduce the quantum of housing to be delivered within the Rural
Service Centres in favour of a new settlement, however, when the viability and deliverability of this
was challenged the Plan period was reduced with an early review mechanism. A number of
interested parties objected to this approach of the new settlement and the thereafter the reduced
Plan period allowing the Plan to be found sound with the new settlement removed.
1.4 Harrold Neighbourhood Plan has since progressed to referendum on 18 November 2021. The
result demonstrated support for the Neighbourhood Plan, with 86% of votes in favour, with a 28%
turnout. The Neighbourhood Plan was ‘Made’ on 5 January 2022.
1.5 The Neighbourhood Plan identifies land to deliver 25 dwellings across two allocations, the
minimum level of growth identified in the Local Plan. This includes land fronting onto Odell Road
(17 dwellings), immediately adjacent to the wider land now being promoted. Notwithstanding this,
as has already been evidenced by the Council, settlements such as Harrold remain well positioned
to provide additional sites to ensure the Council can meet its future housing needs. Sites in the
Rural Service Centres can deliver quickly and ensure that the step change in delivery is met in the
initial years of the Plan period whilst maintaining the vitality and viability of the services and
facilities these settlements offer.
1.6 The land west of Odell Road, Harrold can deliver circa 60 dwellings, subject to detailed
masterplanning based on the site’s opportunities and constraints. It is considered this is
commensurate with the size and sustainability of the settlement and combined with the 25
dwellings to be delivered through the Neighbourhood Plan would still be significantly below of the
150 dwellings the Council has previously evidenced the settlement can deliver within the Local
Plan period. Indeed, having regard to the sustainability of the settlement, and its place within the
settlement hierarchy, just below those settlements which are expected to deliver 500 dwellings, it
is considered that the capacity of Harrold to accommodate new homes could be greater than 150
dwellings.
1.7 This representation follows policies in the order that they appear in the consultation document.

3 Land to the west of Odell Road, Harrold – Site Assessment
3.1 The Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment and Site Assessment Topic Paper (May 2022) includes the Council’s assessments of the sites submitted for consideration throughout this Local Plan process.
3.2 A copy of the assessment for Land to the west of Odell Road, Harrold is provided below, with our suggested amended assessment where relevant which is based on technical assessment that have been carried out.
(extract table from site assessment included in original)
3.3 With the above in mind, it is clear that Land west of Odell Road, Harrold is better suited to come forward for residential development than actually assessed by the Council. Copies of the available technical information have been submitted in support of planning application 19/00842/MAO and demonstrate the sites acceptability. In particular it is further noted that part of the site previously promoted is now allocated for development within the Harrold Neighbourhood Plan, further demonstrating the acceptability of development in this location.