Object

Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 Plan for Submission

Representation ID: 9900

Received: 29/07/2022

Respondent: Hollins Strategic Land

Agent: Emery Planning

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

Representation Summary:

HOU13 Land at Gibraltar Corner, Kempston Rural
5.32 Notwithstanding the Plan has proposed an allocation of land surrounding Gibraltar Corner, Kempston Rural which is a small residential estate west of the A6. We object to HOU13 as it is proposing significant development in this isolated location which is clearly not as sustainable as an extension to Wootton or adjoining the Bedford urban area. In the Settlement Hierarchy it is a Group 4 settlement (the lowest category) scoring a total of 8, which is for bus services. It did not score for any other service or facility. Policy HOU13 sets out requirements for development but as can be seen by criteria iv, v, vii residents will rely on vehicular connections to more sustainable locations, including Wootton and Biddenham. It is not a new settlement but a larger residential estate in the open countryside. With a need for houses in the area as established by HOU13 and HOU14, then Wootton would be the most sustainable location to deliver some of this need.