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New searchThe general proposed scope of the plan appears to cover the main matters which would be anticipated to be included within the Local Plan Review. However, given that one of the background requirements for the review relates to providing for long term growth (in particular in relation to delivery within the Oxford to Cambridge Arc), it is considered that the scope should explicitly reference this matter.
Although referencing East-West Rail and improved connectivity to Oxford and Cambridge, it is considered that the vision should include and elaborate on how it will have supported and contributed to the ambitious growth objectives within the Oxford to Cambridge Arc. Further to which, the vision states that development within rural communities will have been achieved purely through neighbourhood plans. It would appear premature to include this point within the vision in advance of determining the borough’s development strategy and approach to growth, particularly given that the second reason given for the requiring this review, is that the 2030 Local Plan relies upon Neighbourhood Plan sites, and the review allows the council to intervene to ensure that house building rates are maintained.
As has been set out, the examination of the 2030 Local Plan established that the requirements for this ‘immediate’ review is to address the development ambitions of the Oxford – Cambridge Arc and to maintain adequate house building rates in the context of the Inspectors noting that the 2030 Local Plan relied on Neighbourhood Plan housing sites. Although it is acknowledged that it will challenging, it would appear logical to suggest that the plan period should correspond with the growth ambitions of the Oxford – Cambridge arc, and accordingly it is considered that the plan period should be extended to 2050.
The council’s acknowledgement that a combination of development strategy approaches may be required to achieve the anticipated scale of growth is welcomed. Countryside Properties (UK) Limited have promoted Land at Green End/Bedford Road, Great Barford to the Great Barford Neighbourhood Plan for 500 new homes and hold additional land to the south and west of this site which is available and has been submitted under the council’s Call for Sites consultation in parallel to this response. Early work to date suggests the potential for around 2350 new homes and 10ha of commercial and employment space. The development of the site would support the delivery of growth within the A421 corridor, be close to the route of East-West Rail, and would clearly comply with the ambitions of delivering development which corresponds to strategic connections within the Oxford-Cambridge Arc.
Infrastructure including education, health, transport, community facilities and open space are considered key considerations in the delivery of growth in Bedford Borough. As set out in Countryside Properties' Call for sites submission, there is sufficient space within the promoted land to provide education health and community facilities as well as opportunities for community food production and all necessary infrastructure improvements, should Great Barford be a focus of further growth over this extended period.
It is considered that the location of new employment site should correspond to the development strategy, ensuring that they are in accessible locations and well associated to the locations of growth. There is an opportunity to bring forward around 10ha of employment or commercial floorspace as part of the strategic scale development that Countryside are promoting, connecting directly to the Oxford Cambridge corridor.
Providing growth along and around the strategic connections between Oxford and Cambridge (e.g. A421 and East-West Rail) are considered key to acting as draws into the Borough and increasing the value of its economy.
No further views are held on this matter.
It is considered that the provision of guidance for developers on how to respond to climate change would be useful in providing clarity on the expectations of the Council on this matter. It is considered that any guidance should focus on matters of planning rather than duplicating requirements covered by alternative regimes such as Building Regulations.
Countryside Properties are committed to delivering high quality housing developments and have been award in 202 the '5 Star Home Builder Customer Satisfaction' award by the Home Builders Federation and the 'Gold Award for customer satisfaction' by In House Research. It is considered that the Council is best placed to determine whether there is evidence that house building within the Borough is required to o beyond new national house building standards.
