Comment

Representation ID: 9605

Received: 29/07/2022

Respondent: Wilshamstead Ward

Whilst recognising the housing targets that have been set for Bedford Borough and the urgent need for new housing throughout the UK, I believe that in the Local Plan 2040, Bedford Borough is proposing the wrong type of housing in totally the wrong area.

In my opinion, the most pressing housing issue to address today, is the need to build more homes for young people. For many young people a house of their own is only a dream, as they remain either trapped at home with parents or in expensive rented accommodation.

There tends to be a general movement of young people towards urban areas, due to better job opportunities and better social and recreational facilities. Therefore, what the Borough Council is failing to address, is the need for starter homes and apartments in urban areas, where younger people can get a foot on the housing ladder.

The bulk of the Local Plan 2040 in the south of the Borough will lead to the destruction of open green space and result in 4 and 5 bedroom houses which are only affordable to those who are already home owners and looking to scale up. The Local Plan 2040 is light on sustainability and environmental concerns and looks to be a rushed process to meet national housing targets without much thought to the consequences.