1.12

Object

Representation ID: 5677

Received: 07/09/2021

Respondent: Miss amber scally

Staploe Parish Council believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.

Object

Representation ID: 5718

Received: 07/09/2021

Respondent: Miss Hannah Hambleton-Jewell

1.12 The Council already has strong planning policies to protect and enhance the natural environment and as the new Environment Bill passes through its various parliamentary stages, the Council will consider how any of these policies need to change to bring them up to date. Strategic work to map the location of natural capital assets across the Arc is being translated to a more localised geography and we will look to see how our policies might embrace this new way of identifying environmental value and potential to achieve net gains alongside development.

Our North Bedfordshire rural landscape comprises valuable agricultural land which is essential for the sustainability of the food production of the UK. As evidenced in the post-Brexit and pandemic shortages which are currently being experienced. Therefore linking the agricultural land grades mapping to development siting should be a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.

Object

Representation ID: 5719

Received: 07/09/2021

Respondent: Miss Hannah Hambleton-Jewell

The Council already has strong planning policies to protect and enhance the natural environment and as the new Environment Bill passes through its various parliamentary stages, the Council will consider how any of these policies need to change to bring them up to date. Strategic work to map the location of natural capital assets across the Arc is being translated to a more localised geography and we will look to see how our policies might embrace this new way of identifying environmental value and potential to achieve net gains alongside development.

Our North Bedfordshire rural landscape comprises valuable agricultural land which is essential for the sustainability of the food production of the UK. As evidenced in the post-Brexit and pandemic shortages which are currently being experienced. Therefore linking the agricultural land grades mapping to development siting should be a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.

Object

Representation ID: 5752

Received: 07/09/2021

Respondent: Mrs Gillian Tagg

I believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as I can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, I believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.
100-word Summary
I believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England is not sufficiently detailed. High quality agricultural land should not be used for development and therefore more detailed information is needed before decisions about site allocations are made.

Object

Representation ID: 5836

Received: 08/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Norman Hoy

I believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.
100 word summary
I believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England is not sufficiently detailed. High quality agricultural land should not be used for development and therefore more detailed information is needed before decisions about site allocations are made.

Object

Representation ID: 5907

Received: 08/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Tom Tagg

BBC must honour the NPPF requirements and their own policies to protect and enhance the natural environment and the unique natural capital in the borough.
With a growing population and the fact that only approx. 35% of the area of the UK is farmland for food production, BBC should actively protect and retain the farmland in the borough.
DEVELOPMENT SHOULD OCCUR ON BROWNFIELD SITES BEFORE GREENFIELD.
BBC should actively and rapidly move to embedding Environmental Gain (= Biodiversity Gain + Natural Capital) into all their thinking and planning.

Object

Representation ID: 5956

Received: 08/09/2021

Respondent: Staploe Parish Council

I believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.
100 word summary
I believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework and consider brownfield sites 1st. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England is not sufficiently detailed. High quality agricultural land should not be used for development and therefore more detailed information is needed before decisions about site allocations are made.

Object

Representation ID: 5996

Received: 08/09/2021

Respondent: Mrs Christina Farmer

I believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.

Object

Representation ID: 6090

Received: 09/09/2021

Respondent: Jen Giles

Staploe Parish Council believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.

Object

Representation ID: 6140

Received: 09/09/2021

Respondent: Mrs Sandie Tusting

Staploe Parish Council believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.

Object

Representation ID: 6194

Received: 09/09/2021

Respondent: Peter Coles

Staploe Parish Council believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.

Object

Representation ID: 6286

Received: 10/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Paul Zwetsloot

Staploe Parish Council believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.

Object

Representation ID: 6403

Received: 13/09/2021

Respondent: Ms Donna Thompson

Staploe Parish Council believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.

Object

Representation ID: 6417

Received: 13/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Steven Kent

I believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.

Object

Representation ID: 6523

Received: 13/09/2021

Respondent: Mrs Susan Trolley

Staploe Parish Council believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.

Object

Representation ID: 6582

Received: 14/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Aiden Farmer

I believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.

1.12 100 word summary

I believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England is not sufficiently detailed. High quality agricultural land should not be used for development and therefore more detailed information is needed before decisions about site allocations are made.

Object

Representation ID: 6704

Received: 14/09/2021

Respondent: Mrs Elizabeth Froude

I believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.

Object

Representation ID: 6742

Received: 14/09/2021

Respondent: Ms S Kelly

I believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.

Object

Representation ID: 6794

Received: 15/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Damian Smith

I believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.

Object

Representation ID: 6842

Received: 13/09/2021

Respondent: Mrs Joanna Ibbett

I believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, I believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.

Object

Representation ID: 6881

Received: 15/09/2021

Respondent: Master Corey T Farmer

I believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.

Object

Representation ID: 6976

Received: 16/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Robert Tusting

Staploe Parish Council believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.

Object

Representation ID: 7011

Received: 17/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Robert Tusting

Staploe Parish Council believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.

Object

Representation ID: 7062

Received: 09/09/2021

Respondent: June Coles

Staploe Parish Council believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.

Object

Representation ID: 7109

Received: 09/09/2021

Respondent: Stephen Coles

Staploe Parish Council believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.

Object

Representation ID: 7189

Received: 17/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Peter Knight

I believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.

Support

Representation ID: 7276

Received: 01/09/2021

Respondent: Miss Laura Jones

I believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.

1.12 100 word summary

I believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England is not sufficiently detailed. High quality agricultural land should not be used for development and therefore more detailed information is needed before decisions about site allocations are made.

Object

Representation ID: 7336

Received: 02/09/2021

Respondent: Miss Becky Browning

I believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.

1.12 100 word summary

I believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England is not sufficiently detailed. High quality agricultural land should not be used for development and therefore more detailed information is needed before decisions about site allocations are made.

Object

Representation ID: 7393

Received: 02/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Simon Goodship

I believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.

1.12 100 word summary

I believe it is important to map the soil (which forms part of the natural capital) and therefore the agricultural land grades much more closely as this is a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England is not sufficiently detailed. High quality agricultural land should not be used for development and therefore more detailed information is needed before decisions about site allocations are made.

Object

Representation ID: 7486

Received: 03/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Jonathan Hambleton

Our North Bedfordshire rural landscape comprises valuable agricultural land which is essential for the sustainability of the food production of the UK. As evidenced in the post-Brexit and pandemic shortages which are currently being experienced. Therefore linking the agricultural land grades mapping to development siting should be a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England presents a number of difficulties: it is only available at a scale of 1:250,000 and so it is not easy to identify individual parcels of land. The map states that it “represents a generalised pattern of land classification grades and any enlargement of the scale of the map would be misleading”. The webpage states that the map “is intended for strategic uses” and is not “sufficiently accurate for use in assessment of individual fields or sites and any enlargement could be misleading”. The map is based on old survey information and circumstances may have subsequently changed. The map does not differentiate between Grades 3a and 3b. Grade 3a is included in the NPPF’s definition of best and most versatile agricultural land (along with Grades 1 and 2). Of the larger sites as far as we can see Dennybrook (site 977) (along with all land in Staploe Parish) is all grade 2 land with possibly a bit of grade 1 near Wyboston. Great Barford and Colworth are largely grade 3 and Twinwoods is grade 2 but has a significant proportion of brownfield land. However, we believe Bedford Borough Council should commission a more detailed survey of the agricultural land quality in the Borough.

1.12 100 word summary

Accurate mapping of the agricultural land grades is required and then form a key part of the National Planning Policy Framework. The agricultural land classification map published by Natural England is not sufficiently detailed. High quality agricultural land should not be used for development and therefore more detailed information is needed before decisions about site allocations are made.