4.58

Concerned about adequate provision of doctors, dentists and the additional load on Bedford Hospital.
Cannot see how the road system in the area will be able to handle the extra traffic, when already there are holdups during busy times, given that the average number of cars per household these days is 2.
Are new schools going to be built and if so where?
Not sure how turning farm land into housing will provide protection of the area.
Now we are all realising the amount of imports the country is reliant on, why build on good farm land.

HOU5
▪The distinctive character of Elstow will be destroyed with this housing development. Additional housing will mean that Elstow is getting closer to Wixams / Wilstead and therefore Elstow will lose its unique historical setting. Leaving a 'strategic green space' does nor prevent the coalescence with other housing along the A6 corridor.
▪The view across to historic Elstow Abbey should be protected in its totality.
▪Elstow is a parish of low density housing, a conservation area and listed buildings on Wilstead Road. Further modern housing will destroy this.
▪Allowing housing development east of thr A6 will set a precedent for development. If this happens Elstow will be urbanised and its historic identity lost for ever. Elstow is recorded in the Domesday Book and its association with John Bunyan is recognised wirld-wide.
▪I believe there is a further plan for 1800 houses (Hou16) East of Wixams so I question the need for an additional 200 houses in Elstow.
▪There is already significant traffic congestion along the A6 towards Bedford or Luton and I cannot see from the map provided where the entrance/exit is for this development. 200 houses on average means 400 cars. The village cannot cope with additional volumes of traffic and residents of Elstow are already burdened with traffic noise and and pollution from the A6, A421 and rat running through the village at peak times. Traffic from this development would allow a route through the village as they would be part of Elstow. Please note there is a 'No entry' sign at either end of the village to restrict traffic movements.
▪What infrastructure is in place for the potential 800 plus residents - Doctors? Dentists? Schools from Nursery to Secondary? Employment? Leisure facilities? Shopping? This development pays no regard to sustainability.
▪What employment opportunities are there? Presumably employment will mean car journeys and more congestion. Again I have an issue with sustainability.
▪Using these fields for development will have an impact on wildlife and its loss of habitat, hedgerows and trees.
▪What impact will this development have on flooding of Elstow brook?