Object

Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 Plan for Submission

Representation ID: 9652

Received: 26/07/2022

Respondent: Ms Natalie Brine

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? Not specified

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

Representation Summary:

As a resident of Wilstead for the past two decades, I wish to formally object to the planned 2,100 new houses ie Land South of Wixams (300 houses) and Land East of Wixams (1,800 houses) that are part of the Bedford Borough Council Local Plan 2040. These developments are within the Wilstead Parish although they have been shown in the draft Local Plan as a “Wixams Extension”, which means that the Plan itself is inaccurate and could be misleading for residents when assessing the plan. There are a further 1000 homes proposed for Shortstown, which are next to the Wilstead Parish Boundary.
I have serious concerns about the detrimental impact that this large-scale development will have on both the environment, and on the health and quality of life of the current residents in this area.
These are my main concerns:
1. The development will result in the loss of over 400 acres of rural countryside, home to numerous species of wildlife. This represents a significant loss of the natural beauty of the area, with negative repercussions on residents’ well being. We are all acutely aware of the benefits of green outdoor spaces on good mental health. There would be a substantial loss of public footpaths and bridleways, so important for exercise and wellbeing. Current residents, who chose their homes for their rural location, would end up living within an urban sprawl, as Wilstead would be swallowed up by the development, merge with Wixams and no longer be a village in its own right.
2. The addition of such a large number of houses equates to the influx of several thousand cars, with the resulting high levels of traffic congestion, noise and pollution, with detrimental effects to the quality of air. There is already a high level of traffic congestion in the area with long queues forming on the A421, around the A6 and the A600. A large volume of cars already cut through Wilstead to get between the A600 and A6 and the substantial increase in cars would only aggravate the traffic problems leading to even more pollution.
3. There is an increased risk of flooding from the replacement of natural green belts with concrete resulting in excessive run off of rainwater. Given the extreme weather events of recent times, flash flooding is far more likely.
4. Equally, the addition of so many homes and the migration of 1000s of people to the area would put strain on the natural resources, such as the water table and result in the oversubscription of key service such as hospitals, GPs, schools and care homes.

I would be very grateful for your consideration of the points I have raised as my objection to the planned housing developments in Wixams/Wilstead.