Site ID: 579

Support

Representation ID: 3481

Received: 25/07/2021

Respondent: Mr Peter Gell

Developing new settlements creates the type of community people are looking for post Covid. A significant number of houses without being excessive.

Support

Representation ID: 6061

Received: 09/09/2021

Respondent: Mrs V Bates

Agent: Phillips Planning Services

Our client controls the Land North of Chawston Lane, Chawston which is being promoted through the Call For Sites Process, Site ID 579. This site is available for up to 100 dwellings.

Chawston has excellent connectivity to the A421 Growth Corridor, which is expected to see large levels of growth over the coming years. The site is within walking distance of a village hall, convenience store and subway sandwich shop, and McDonalds Restaurant, as well as numerous employment opportunities in the locality. There is a bus stop accessible by foot that connects the site to Biggleswade, Sandy, and St Neots. St Neots can be easily accessed from the site at a longer walking / short cycling distance, and provides a range of services, employment opportunities, and transport links. The site is also within walking distance of the X5 bus stop on the A1 which has a high frequency service travelling to Oxford, Bicester, Buckingham, Milton Keynes, Bedford, St Neots, and Cambridge from early in the morning until late at night, 7 days per week.

In terms of access, the proposed building of the relief road serving Chawston and Wyboston will provide a significant improvement in the local road network, creating greater capacity and a direct and safe connection from the village of Chawston onto the Black Cat interchange, via the Roxton Road. This is a major piece of infrastructure investment that these villages will benefit from and it is a foundation on which the location can take additional growth.

These villages are sought after locations and there is a need and desire to locate here. It is well recognised that villages and rural settlements such as this make for attractive locations for self-build plots. Table 12 of the Housing Strategy 2021-2026 shows that there are currently 45 registrants who have registered a preference for Self-Build housing in Chawston and the surrounding areas. The site is being promoted for standard housing, and self-build through the Call for Sites process and provides an opportunity to provide self-build plots in a location where they are required.