Comment

Representation ID: 9688

Received: 26/07/2022

Respondent: Historic England

Whilst there are no designated heritage assets within the site boundary, there are a number of listed buildings nearby including Cardington number 1 and number 2 sheds, both listed at grade II* and several grade II listed buildings at Harrowden. The impact on the historic airfield setting is also important. Any development of this site has the potential to impact upon these heritage assets and their settings.
The open space around the sheds was of critical functional importance and contributes to their significance as heritage assets. The massive scale of the sheds within the open space of the flying field and the surviving landscape beyond speaks to the function of the buildings and combine to make the sheds extraordinary structures that dominate the landscape to the south of Bedford acting as local landmarks.
The Masterplan drawing shows that a large proportion (roughly half) of the development would be sited to the west of the existing settlement, where there is no discernible spatial relationship with, or uninterrupted views of the hangars.
However there would also be a significant amount of development to the south of Shortstown and directly opposite the west doors of the hangars, which would is likely to have some effect on some medium and longer distance of the hangars, affecting, to some extent, the way in which these heritage assets are experienced and appreciated. Very careful attention to layout and siting of development will be critical here, as well as massing and building heights, in order to minimise impact.
A Heritage Appraisal has been prepared for the site. It focuses on built heritage, in particular the Cardington sheds. It does not consider the listed buildings in Harrowden.
The Heritage Appraisal considers the issue of views to the sheds and suggests that that southern portion of the site is left open to retain these views. This is reflected in the concept plan at Figure 9 which is welcomed However, it should also be referred to in the policy, perhaps at criterion viii. Additional wording could read ‘open space in southern portion of the site to retain important views to Cardington sheds’.
We broadly welcome criteria xii and xiii but again suggest that reference is made to the need to maintain open space and key views to the sheds. We also suggest that the design of the development as well as the open space and landscaping will also be important and should draw on its historical aviation context for inspiration. This should be included in the policy wording.