2.2

Object

Representation ID: 3567

Received: 11/08/2021

Respondent: Mr Robin Elder

I note the ambitious Themes and Objective but no discussion on how these are to be achieved. For example, page 13 includes the comment “Reduce congestion in the borough, particularly into and around the town centre, including making journeys by public transport, walking and cycling more attractive to encourage an increase in more sustainable and healthy modes of transport” but fails miserably to explain how this might be achieved and in particular how walking/cycling/traffic can be amicably mixed. It is very clear that to date the Council have not achieved a good balance.

The above mentioned Theme focusses on the Town Centre at the expense of wider interests. It is emphasised that the impact of developments around the Town Centre are modest for most users when a ‘whole’ journey is considered. In my case along Shakespeare and Bromham Roads where last year there was an horrendous accident killing two pedestrians. The subsequent response from Councillors was that it was the responsibility of reckless driving (ie no Council culpability) but even reckless drivers are influenced by speed limits and associated road design. We need more ambition.

Object

Representation ID: 3592

Received: 14/08/2021

Respondent: Mrs Hayley Morphew

We already have a a beautiful rural landscape - these plans are the antithesis of "protecting, enhancing, extending and linking landscapes, woodland, biodiversity sites, heritage sites, green spaces and paths"

Object

Representation ID: 3623

Received: 16/08/2021

Respondent: Great Barford Neighbourhood Plan Group

Theme 1: Greener: objectives are good
Theme 2: Accessible: objectives may clash with sustainable arrival of passenger by car to connect with EWR at Midland Station
Theme 3: Prosperity: town centre objectives are vague
Theme 4: Better place: rural objectives are vague

Object

Representation ID: 3668

Received: 19/08/2021

Respondent: GB PC

Theme 1: Greener objectives are good
Theme 2: Accessible objectives may clash with obtaining sustainable passenger arrival by car connection to EWR at Midland Station
Theme 3: Prosperity objectives for town centre are vague
Theme 4: Better place objectives are vague for rural communities

Object

Representation ID: 3813

Received: 26/08/2021

Respondent: Roxton Parish Council

Theme 4 Mentions high quality health and social care. It is imperative to improve these services as currently they are inadequate for the Bedfordshire villages. We know for example in the Roxton area that our local surgeries are already overcrowded even before the 90 houses in Great Barford and forthcoming 50 in Roxton.

Any housing quantity plan must consider the impact on local infrastructure and facilities. RPC would like to see more publicised supporting evidence and consultation of local people and Parish Councils when developers state that existing facilities and infrastructure have available capacity to cope with growth. Such statements do not always match the evidence available in the local communities on a day to day basis.

Object

Representation ID: 3916

Received: 28/08/2021

Respondent: Mrs MARGARET TURNER

Bedford Borough will not be a greener environment if the go ahead is given for 10,800 new houses on prime agricultural land

Object

Representation ID: 4002

Received: 29/08/2021

Respondent: Mr Keith Turner

If Dennybrook is given the go ahead bedford borough will not be a greener environment with 10,800 houses added to prime agricultural land

Object

Representation ID: 4166

Received: 30/08/2021

Respondent: Richard Baker

Theme 1 includes some fine words but where is this reflected in the Local Plan?

Object

Representation ID: 4208

Received: 30/08/2021

Respondent: Mrs Chris Bend

"A greener town centre", "protect and enhance natural resources", "Reduce congestion in the borough". How are any of these going to be achieved by building a diesel rail line through the centre of the town and out into the North Bedfordshire countryside? There appears to be no data on how much more traffic would travel into the station on Ashburnham Road if route E goes ahead. All the viaducts, embankments etc needed to build a line which is longer and needs so much more concrete and years of upheaval will not protect and enhance any natural resources.

Object

Representation ID: 4213

Received: 30/08/2021

Respondent: Mrs June Thomas

I cannot see that the carbon emissions will be decreased .We in Cople are experiencing increased emissions,noise,dirt and disruption when cars etc use the village as a rat run.This seems contradictory of the councils policy of rural growth.If anything carbon emissions will increase in this rural area .

Object

Representation ID: 4253

Received: 30/08/2021

Respondent: Mr Fletcher Giles

Bedford Borough will not be a greener environment if the go ahead is given for 10,800 new houses on prime agricultural land

Object

Representation ID: 4338

Received: 31/08/2021

Respondent: Miss Helen Leach

Bedford Borough will not be a greener environment if the go ahead is given for 10,800 new houses on prime agricultural land.

Support

Representation ID: 4402

Received: 31/08/2021

Respondent: Mrs Gerardine Meola

However, the Council must not just write these words down but must embrace and act upon them.

It must not build on open countryside, on grade 2 agricultural land which is removed from the urban area of Bedford.

Support

Representation ID: 4430

Received: 31/08/2021

Respondent: Mr Simon Marsh

I am broadly in agreement with the themes that you have identified and in the recognition of a once in a lifetime opportunity to re-shape the transport picture across the borough. However, I must stress the very real need to redefine the value and role of town centres and the absolute priority to safeguard the rural nature of the borough.

Support

Representation ID: 4588

Received: 01/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Denis Ivins

The vision themes of ‘Greener’, more ‘Accessible’ and ‘Prosperous’, Borough with ‘Better Places’ for all to use and enjoy, provide a positive platform for the plan.

Object

Representation ID: 4780

Received: 01/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Robert Greene

Whilst I support and applaud that your No.1 theme is Greener....this is not borne out in the plan. The plans under option 2(d) in particular regarding the increased development along the A421 corridor, incremental to the existing plans under the 2030 Local Plan, is a less green alternative to urban growth. The BBCs own sustainability Appraisal states this, with 'Village Growth" being the worst performer. Bedford town is in dire need of well thought out planning and the development of brown field and existing commercial/ public land should be prioritised over spreading growth around villages without the accompanying necessary facilities

Object

Representation ID: 4835

Received: 01/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Tom Pearce

Support/object is too simple: while the intent is supported, the plan doesn't support the intent so is objected to. There are many conflicts in here, for example aiming for carbon neutral (good) by running a diesel freight service through an urban area (also encouraging more vehicle traffic in Bedford, contradicting the 'green' and 'better places' statements), while also not providing infrastructure where it's needed (south, where all the commerce/storage/development is). Equally, developed land doesn't seem to be being re-developed, with some high-quality farmland being targeted. So: good intent but questionable planning.

Support

Representation ID: 4887

Received: 02/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Kevin Morrall

The local plan MUST reflect these themes.

Object

Representation ID: 5087

Received: 02/09/2021

Respondent: Mrs Clare Buddle

Theme 1: “…Working towards making…” should be changed to “…Making…”

Theme 2: add “Ensure cycling and walking becomes the mode of choice wherever possible.” To secure the simple, cheap healthy benefits these modes can bring.

Theme 3: at the end of "high quality urban living." add "whilst ensuring sufficient opportunties remain for retail."

Object

Representation ID: 5089

Received: 02/09/2021

Respondent: Mrs Clare Buddle

Theme 4: “Where it is viable…” viability is irrelevant, all options should be exhausted to secure sustainable brownfield redevelopment.

“…borough's urban and rural communities…” omit “…and rural…” as rural housing is not necessarily sustainable.

Object

Representation ID: 5144

Received: 03/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Trevor Monk

You make area Greener by not building all over it, we are being over developed, this is not sustainable and is frankly, dangerous.

Object

Representation ID: 5249

Received: 03/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Peter Norris

Theme 2: More Accessible Objectives
All 3 objectives are compromised by the insistence of the E-W Rail solution going through Midland Road Station. This will increase congestion around that area and be destructive to community living areas during build and will not achieve the first/last mile journey improvement promised. A southern parkway station as the main E-W Rail interface would have avoided the congestion due to be incurred through the proposed solution.

Object

Representation ID: 5355

Received: 03/09/2021

Respondent: Ms Jackie Brand

Theme 1: Greener - This section is too vague.
There needs to be specific targets; by what year will the borough be carbon neutral?
How many trees will be planted a year and where will they be planted?
What other specific activities will be undertaken to achieve carbon neutral?
What are the targets for improving air quality and what specific actions will be taken to achieve these targets?
I could not find the Carbon Delivery Strategy on the website; it needs to be included as an appendix to this plan

Object

Representation ID: 6078

Received: 09/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Michael Penfold

Theme 4 : Better Places

Re access to high quality healthcare. Wilstead should no longer be classified as a key service centre as it no longer has any GP/Doctor provision within the village itself.

Re providing appropriate amounts and types of housing to meet the needs of the Borough’s rural communities. Wilstead is a rural community and current residents have chosen to live in a rural rather than urban community and any large-scale housing development would adversely impact the rural nature of the village.

Following separation from the Wixhams development, Wilstead was left as a much smaller rural community which could not accommodate any significant increase in size and remain true to its rural heritage which has existed for more than 1,000 years. There must continue to be a distinct gap between the village and other communities such as Wixams, Elstow & Cotton End so that the historical identities of all of these areas can be preserved.

Any substantial development would have a major impact on the look of Wilstead and would be out of character with the current properties in the village

Themes 1 and 2 : Greener & More Accessible

The transport infrastructure supporting Wilstead is very poor with no bus service at all along Cotton End Road. Building further houses in the village would result in more through traffic and car ownership as there is no feasible alternative available. The village could not cope with any further increase in traffic without there being risk of serious accident or injury, particularly outside the school/post office and the garage at the crossroads. The average speed cameras erected recently in the village appear to have had no impact of the high speeds seen regularly through the village, primarily due to the current positioning.

Themes 1 : Greener

Re protecting, enhancing, extending and linking landscapes, woodland, green spaces etc. Any large-scale housing development would adversely impact the rural green infrastructure of Wilstead and would seriously affect the ready access to the open countryside that is currently available in many parts of the village.

Object

Representation ID: 6082

Received: 09/09/2021

Respondent: Mrs Nicola Penfold

Theme 4 : Better Places

Re access to high quality healthcare. Wilstead should no longer be classified as a key service centre as it no longer has any GP/Doctor provision within the village itself.

Re providing appropriate amounts and types of housing to meet the needs of the Borough’s rural communities. Wilstead is a rural community and current residents have chosen to live in a rural rather than urban community and any large-scale housing development would adversely impact the rural nature of the village.

Following separation from the Wixhams development, Wilstead was left as a much smaller rural community which could not accommodate any significant increase in size and remain true to its rural heritage which has existed for more than 1,000 years. There must continue to be a distinct gap between the village and other communities such as Wixams, Elstow & Cotton End so that the historical identities of all of these areas can be preserved.

Any substantial development would have a major impact on the look of Wilstead and would be out of character with the current properties in the village

Themes 1 and 2 : Greener & More Accessible

The transport infrastructure supporting Wilstead is very poor with no bus service at all along Cotton End Road. Building further houses in the village would result in more through traffic and car ownership as there is no feasible alternative available. The village could not cope with any further increase in traffic without there being risk of serious accident or injury, particularly outside the school/post office and the garage at the crossroads. The average speed cameras erected recently in the village appear to have had no impact of the high speeds seen regularly through the village, primarily due to the current positioning.

Themes 1 : Greener

Re protecting, enhancing, extending and linking landscapes, woodland, green spaces etc. Any large-scale housing development would adversely impact the rural green infrastructure of Wilstead and would seriously affect the ready access to the open countryside that is currently available in many parts of the village.

Object

Representation ID: 6157

Received: 09/09/2021

Respondent: Savills

Agent: Savills

Theme 1: Greener, should clearly define what is meant by the term ‘net zero carbon emissions borough’.

Object

Representation ID: 6239

Received: 09/09/2021

Respondent: AW Group Limited

Agent: Arrow Planning Limited

3.1 The first statement contained within the Local Plan’s Vision (Chapter 2) rightly
sets an aim of tackling climate change and adapting to and mitigating its
effects being at the heart of new development in the Borough.
3.2 This is then reinforced, with Theme 1 (p.13) setting an objective to making
Bedford Borough a carbon neutral Borough. The draft Local Plan, however, does
not currently carry this commitment through in such a way as to suggest
meaningful action.
3.3 Firstly, the Local Plan does not include any proposed strategy or approach
concerning renewable energy development. If the Borough is serious about
becoming carbon neutral and tackling climate change, it is essential that the
Local Plan includes positive policies which encourage both renewable
energy developments, and net zero carbon developments, to come forward.
3.4 The NPPF is clear (Chapter 14 – para 152 in particular) that the planning system
should, inter alia, support renewable and low carbon energy and associated
infrastructure. Para 153 states that Plans should take a proactive approach to
mitigating and adapting to climate change.
3.5 Moreover, para 155 states that Plans should both provide a positive strategy for
energy from renewable and low carbon sources and consider identifying
suitable areas for such developments.
3.6 The Local Plan fails to tackle this issue. As currently drafted, it lacks any
meaningful proposals or aims in order to meet these requirements of national
policy.
3.7 In the same fashion that the Local Plan has considered issues and options
around future growth (scale, location, pattern etc), this iteration of the Local Plan
should have also included options proposing a positive strategy for energy from
renewable and low carbon sources, including potential locations.
3.8 It must encourage growth that comes forward where renewable energy
goes hand in hand with development proposals, with positive policies
encouraging such developments (be they as allocations and/or applications)
to be considered favourably. The NPPF makes particular reference (para 155 c)
to identifying opportunities for development to draw its energy supply from
decentralised, renewable or low carbon energy supply, and for co-locating heat
customers and suppliers.
3.9 Of particular concern is the lack of any focused evidence base document(s)
addressing these matters. The list of Local Plan 2040 Supporting documents
provided by the Council is absent any topic papers, studies or the like which
address these matters.
3.10 It is essential that BBC undertake such work as a matter of urgency to inform
the next stage of the Local Plan. AWG propose that the Local Plan will need to
include policies allocating sites for renewable energy, as well as allocating
strategic developments which could come forward alongside renewable
energy. The land West Park Farm, as set out later in these representations, is a proposed development that would be in accordance with such an approach as
advocated by the NPPF.

Support

Representation ID: 6370

Received: 13/09/2021

Respondent: CPRE Bedfordshire

Para 2.2 – SUPPORT with comments

The vision themes which aspire to a ‘Greener’, more ‘Accessible’ and ‘Prosperous’, Borough with ‘Better Places’ for all to use and enjoy, provide a positive platform for the plan. However, without clearer and more specific targets and timescales to support the ambition to make “Bedford a net zero carbon emissions borough whilst improving, enhancing and creating green infrastructure and spaces,” the prospects of making substantial progress will be considerably weakened.

Object

Representation ID: 6661

Received: 14/09/2021

Respondent: Stevington Parish Council

Section 2: Vision and Objectives Theme 1 : Achieving a Net Zero borough
Although policies related to existing assets and community consumption of energy and products are not intended to be part of LP2040. The delivery of Net Zero borough will need policies for growth to align with policies to support existing communities in making the transition to low carbon homes (e.g., insulation and electrification), and the transition from petrol to Electrical vehicles.
Economic growth will lead to a significant increase in local population, while it may be feasible to ensure new housing developments are low carbon and can demonstrate a habitat based net biodiversity gain, we need the borough’s policies to urgently address carbon emissions from the existing borough population, its housing stock and farming land, which are large carbon emission sources.
LP2040 needs to be updated to reflect this escalating emergency with greater urgency placed in delivering reductions in carbon emission and preparedness to address climate change across the Borough. This must address both existing and growth infrastructure. The council must identify all possible means to support current and future local communities in carbon sequestration and biodiversity growth (tree and hedge planting, wildflower meadows, garden biodiversity enhancement) as well as technology changes including electrification of transport and homes, hydrogen ( if/when that becomes feasible), local renewable power generation.

Object

Representation ID: 6676

Received: 14/09/2021

Respondent: Cardington Parish Council

Agent: Cardington Parish Council

para 2. Vision and Objectives. Theme 1:Greener.

The convoluted wording dealing with the Borough by 2040 being “greener, more sustainable etc.” leaves it unclear what the commitment of the Borough is to actually achieving the Vision and Objectives. Phrases such as “integrates closely with the surrounding landscape”, “facilitating the development”, “Equipped to respond”, etc allow for a variety of interpretations including that the Borough is preparing the ground for the Objectives proving unachievable with 25500 new houses. Since references to Environmental Net Gain elsewhere in the Plan are all phrased positively, i.e., there is no doubt expressed or inferred that it can and will be achieved with this level of housing growth, we would wish to see “Theme 1: Greener” similarly phrased as follows;

“Deliver growth and an urban and rural green infrastructure network that protects, enhances and extends landscapes, woodland. biodiversity, heritage sites, green spaces and paths while also protecting and enhancing our natural resources, including air, water, soils and minerals. Deliver growth that, through location and the use of best available design and technology, minimises pollution and mitigates the potential impacts of climate change including flooding, drought and weather extremes. “