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Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 Plan for Submission

Representation ID: 9944

Received: 25/07/2022

Respondent: Barton Willmore

Representation Summary:

Draft Policy DS1 (Resource and Climate Change) provides a number of requirements for development, in order to support a move to carbon neutrality and (a) minimise carbon emissions (b) maximise carbon storage and sequestration and (c) mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change (d) respond to the economic and policy changes that are likely to accompany climate change (e) provide a Sustainability and Energy Statement demonstrating how mitigating and adapting to climate change has been considered.
The wording of the policy and the move towards carbon neutrality is supported by IM Land, who are committed to creating a sustainable future and have a proactive Environmental, Social Governance programme to deliver a range of benefits to communities. The proposed development at Rushden Road, Wymington will support Bedford Borough’s target for carbon neutrality and comply with draft policy DS1 by way of the following:
• In accordance with criteria A) i. and D) i. of the draft policy, key local amenities are located within walking distance of the Site, which will minimise the need to travel by private vehicle. There are bus stops on Rushden Road, approximately 400m from the Site, which provide services to Bedford and Kettering. Wellingborough railway station is approximately 6.2 miles away (a 16-minute drive or 34 minute cycle) and this offers regular services to Corby via Kettering and London St Pancras via Bedford and Luton airport;
• With regards to A) iii. the proposals will retain and enhance the public rights of way on site for pedestrian and cycle usage. New routes are also proposed which will enhance the sustainable connections through the Site and provide improved accessibility to local facilities and the surrounding countryside;
• In terms of A) v. and vi., the homes at Rushden Road will be constructed to meet the full Future Homes Standard and will therefore produce 75% less carbon emissions than homes delivered under current regulations. This means homes will be heated and powered by renewable heat provided by a heat pump and use renewable electricity powered by roof mounted solar PV cells. Homes will also be designed to specify sustainable materials, considering the whole life cycle of materials to reduce the embodied carbon of development;
• In relation to B) ii. and C) ii. the proposed development will retain and enhance existing hedgerows and planting across the Site and along the Site boundaries;
• With regards to C) i. the development is located entirely within Flood Zone 1 and therefore has a low risk of flooding from the river or sea, making it suitable for development. Sustainable Drainage Systems will be used throughout the development to provide amenity and biodiversity improvements;
• In relation to C) iii. areas of formal and informal public open space are proposed. The existing allotments will also be retained and potentially expanded which promote social interaction;
• Criteria C) iv. refers to delivering an environmental net gain. The Site is presently arable land and of relatively low ecological value and therefore a 10% net gain on site is achievable;
• In accordance with C) v. new homes will achieve a water consumption rate of 110 l/p/d by incorporating water efficiency measures. All homes with gardens will be provided with water butts to capture rainwater for re-use.