Site ID: 706

Object

Representation ID: 3584

Received: 14/08/2021

Respondent: Mr R W Harland

This site is totally unfeasible for 132 houses. Ivy Lane is full to overcapacity. In June 2021 the Bedford Highways department objected to application (21/00734/OUT).
The Highways objection stated: “It is considered that Ivy Lane is at more than its capacity as a shared use space and narrow country lane” & “Therefore it is considered that Ivy Lane is not suitable for an increase in traffic levels.”

The access to the site as shown on the published plan is very narrow and between two houses. This access cannot accommodate the traffic of 132 houses entering and leaving the site.

Object

Representation ID: 3598

Received: 15/08/2021

Respondent: Wilstead

Due to the single track of Ivy Lane it would not be possible to a accommodate any additional traffic. Your diagram shows the entrance for 132 houses opening into Ivy Lane. All recent applications for development in Ivy Lane have been dismissed due to the congestion it would generate. As it stands even now vehicles are forced to pass in residents driveways. Also worth remembering that this Lane has no walkways and is used by residents and children as a gateway to surrounding rural foot paths. So this also applies to ID 880, 877,879, 881

Object

Representation ID: 3768

Received: 24/08/2021

Respondent: Mrs Elaine Holloway

Ivy Lane has already reached its capacity for houses and traffic. The flow of traffic from 132 houses would be horrendous. At an average of two cars per house this represents an additional traffic flow of over 250 cars.

Vehicle access is very poor for fire engines, refuse collection and large lorries.

Ivy Lane has no footpath and is used by the public for recreation activities. So, it would be extremely dangerous to people (including small children) walking along the lane to add over 200 cars to the lane.

Object

Representation ID: 3972

Received: 29/08/2021

Respondent: Mr Peter Dodson

Site is far to big for the infrastructure of the Village, especially the very narrow Ivy Lane the width for one vehicle wifh no footpaths and not suitable roadway for heavy builders plant trucks and machinery. To many sites being proposed in areas off the relatively narrow Cotton End Road that wouldn't cope. Swamping the village with huge housing sites would basically destroy the history and heritage of the Village. Housing developments are already in process in areas surrounding Wilstead, at Wixams, Shortstown and Cardington. The newly created Wixams development seems to have plenty of scope to expand further.

Object

Representation ID: 4226

Received: 30/08/2021

Respondent: Mr Mark Wooding

Oppose further housing development that will increase traffic flow along Cotton End Road.
Road is already too busy, too fast and becoming dangerous in the absence of average speed cameras.

Any further development should be on the periphery of the village.

Object

Representation ID: 5123

Received: 03/09/2021

Respondent: Wilshamstead Parish Council

Outside the Settlement Policy Area for the village.
Access would need to be off a narrow lane which is completely unsuited to additional traffic.
The land forms an important open space for residents of Ivy lane and provides important views to the open countryside to the East.

Object

Representation ID: 5509

Received: 06/09/2021

Respondent: Mrs Rebecca Darnton

706- Land east of Ivy Lane:
132 houses on this land would be totally unacceptable because of access along the lane, which already is very busy. It is a very narrow lane very badly surfaced, with no pedestrian footpath. Many people use this lane to walk on the footpaths at the end. Another 250+ cars is unthinkable, dangerous and polluting too.

Object

Representation ID: 7456

Received: 20/09/2021

Respondent: Ms Lesley Smith

We have lived in Ivy Lane for 20 years and moved there for peace and quiet. Ivy Lane is used by dog walkers, pedestrians and horse riders, both learners and experienced. The lane is windy with blind corners. The lane will not accommodate more traffic than it has now as it is only 1.4 metres wide at some points and has no pavement. Should a fire truck or ambulance have to gain access in an emergency, with more traffic, this would be very difficult. More houses would destroy the rural nature of Ivy Lane. Some houses near the lane do not have proper foundations, heavy building lorries would damage these historical buildings. Site I.D. 706 should be removed from the site assessment list. A better site to use would have good road access and would cause less impact to local residents.

Object

Representation ID: 8410

Received: 03/09/2021

Respondent: Fisher German LLP

The Council’s Site Assessment contains a number of criteria by which sites are scored. Wherein we have comments these are discussed in turn below.

In an area where protected species are known or likely to exist?
An ecological survey for the whole site has not been carried out to date. Given the site’s use as an arable field, it is considered that the site’s ecological value will be relatively low. Nevertheless, should any protected species be found, suitable mitigation will be able to be implemented as part of a scheme.

Potentially able to achieve a net gain in biodiversity?
A scheme could be capable of providing a biodiversity net gain, subject to scheme details. Point 2c should therefore be a (+) rather than a (?) on the site assessment.

Likely to impact on designated or non-designated heritage assets or their settings?
It is considered that a scheme is capable of coming forward which is sensitive to and protects any heritage assets identified as potentially causing harm. The nearest listed buildings are Spindle Cottage (Grade II listed) and Compton Cottage (Grade II listed). These buildings are already partially screened by existing development and it is considered that a scheme can be suitably designed to respect these heritage assets.

Connect to highway without constraint?
It is agreed that there are no access constraints subject to a scheme’s detail and any highway improvements deemed necessary and commensurate to a scheme coming forward.