Issues and Options

As set out in the answer to question 5 above, the need for investment in new cycle ways is considered to be particularly important.

No.

No

1,305 dwellings per annum based on the calculation of standard method within the Planning Practice Guidance is also supported. It is important, in line with National Planning Policy Framework, that 1,305 dwellings per annum is treated as a minimum target and that a suitable range of deliverable sites are allocated in order to ensure that this figure is met. In addition, accounting for the location of Bedford Borough being situated centrally within the growth arc, consideration should be given to a higher housing figure than 1,305 per annum. Bedford Borough benefits from excellent and improving road and rail links. It is also one of the areas within the growth arc that benefits from being situated on land outside of the Green Belt.

The draft vision is supported. It is positive that the Council recognises that Bedford Borough is situated centrally within the Cambridge- Oxford Growth Arc. The proposed approach to locate new development in sustainable locations, with good transport connectivity is also supported. This consultation response, has been prepared on behalf of Axis Land Partnerships Ltd, who are promoting land adjacent to Home Road and to the north of Wood End Lane, Gibraltar Corner as part of the emerging Local Plan. As set out on the attached Ramsey Green Vision Document, a residential led allocation at Gibraltar Corner would fully align with the proposed vision for the new Local Plan. Land at Gibraltar Corner is situated within a very sustainable location, with ease of walking and cycling to Kempston, Wootton and Bedford. The proposed development will also align with the key vision for the Local Plan, with tackling climate change being central to the delivery of the proposed development. Alignment of the proposals at Gibraltar Corner with the vision for the emerging Local Plan is set out as follows:  It is situated within a flood zone 1 (low risk);  A substantial area of green infrastructure and a green and blue corridor is provided centrally through the site, which will provide open space, biodiversity and sustainable urban drainage benefits;  The location of Gibraltar Corner is situated in close proximity to Bedford and Kempston Town Centres, and the allocation of this site has the ability to assist with the creation of more vibrant town centres, with new residents walking, working and spending money in the respective town centres;  The proposed Community Hub area, will assist in providing a new facility for existing residents in Gibraltar Corner to use and enjoy.  The proposed development has the potential to provide substantial biodiversity net gain including an extension of Buttons Ramsey Wood  The site will promote ease of access to the John Bunyan Trail. The above points are expanded upon in detail within the Vision Document that accompanies this representation. As the Local Plan progresses it is important that the allocations within the plan reflect and align with the vision for the Local Plan.

I agree with this plan period

The plan period from 2020 to 2040 is acceptable as a minimum period in which the plan would be active. It is important that suitable planning policies are worded within the plan, that require an early review of the plan in the event that housing or employment needs change during the plan period.

Brown – Urban based growth , Yellow – A421 based growth , Grey– Dispersed growth

After reviewing the location options in Table 1, Urban Based Growth and Dispersed Growth are considered to be the most appropriate strategies. However, it is also considered that the full housing and employment needs for the Borough will need to be met by using a range of the different growth scenario options. In this regard, consideration should be given to a strategy that seeks to accommodate both urban and dispersed growth. Urban Based Growth is supported in that it will encourage additional development and inward investment in close proximity to the key service centres of Bedford and Kempston. As identified within the consultation document, it is very unlikely that urban growth can be met by redevelopment of brownfield land within Bedford and Kempston. Therefore, it is important that consideration is given to releasing appropriately located greenfield land within the countryside around Bedford and Kempston for allocation. As set out within the attached Vision Document, land at Gibraltar Corner, is located within the ideal location to assist with meeting an Urban Based Growth Approach, being within short walking and cycling distance to Kempston. The approach to dispersed growth, is also supported, however, it is considered that this dispersed growth should be situated in more sustainable locations in close proximity to key service areas, such as Bedford and Kempston. It is considered that large scale growth within the less sustainable and more remote northern areas of the Borough is not appropriate in that it would result in over- reliance on use of the motor car and new housing being situated a long distance from the principal settlements of Bedford and Kempston. However, provision for dispersed growth on urban edge settlements such as Gibraltar Corner is strongly supported, in that it will provide a good quality of life for new residents at an appropriate density for rural/urban edge locations. It will also ensure that development is located within village settlements that have very good accessibility to Kempston and Bedford. The approach to meeting the majority of growth by provision of new settlements is not supported. New settlements generally require substantial infrastructure in order to be deliverable and any new settlement is not likely to be deliverable within the short to medium term. It is very important that a number of medium and smaller sized sites (circa 500 dwellings or less) are allocated in order to meet the identified housing needs within the short to medium term. In particular, we consider that this approach will ensure consistent delivery across the plan period by avoiding an over concentration of development in a specific area or an over reliance on large strategic sites. This is particularly important for areas such as Bedford Borough, given the significant number of strategic sites that are being delivered through the current Local Plan 2030. In addition, growth in and around urban areas are more likely to support the key vision of the Local Plan, which is to create vibrant town centres in Bedford and Kempston. No objection is raised to provision for some growth along the new railway and A421 Corridor to the west of Bedford. However, this growth will only be appropriate to meet a proportion of any new growth allocated as part of the new Local Plan. It is considered to be a less sustainable approach than providing growth around the principle settlements of Kempston and Bedford. In particular growth along the A421 Corridor is likely to result in additional use of the motor car.

The provision for additional rail infrastructure to support growth is supported, which in itself is central to the delivery of major growth within the Cambridge to Oxford Growth Arc. However, as important is the provision for improved cycling infrastructure, which is critical to tacking the climate change emergency. Whilst, we do not want to comment on the most appropriate locations for major rail and road infrastructure, it is considered very important that the Council plan for a large proportion of growth to be delivered in the short to medium term that does not rely on major transport infrastructure delivery. As demonstrated within the attached vision document, the proposal at Gibraltar Corner concentrates on providing accessible cycling and pedestrian connectivity to urban areas, as well as to surrounding green spaces and Buttons Ramsey woodland. Green infrastructure including pedestrian and cycle paths will provide access to the countryside and the John Bunyan Trail. It is considered that one of the fundamental objectives for the new Local Plan, should be to promote improved cycleways in and around urban areas. This should include facilitating sustainable connection routes from urban edge areas into Bedford and Kempston Town Centre.

Provision for new employment sites is supported. It is considered that new employment sites should be focused near or close to key transport interchanges, where possible.

It is considered that locating new growth in close proximity to existing key rail stations at Kempston and Bedford will be important in order to capture the benefits and inward investment opportunities associated with East- West Rail. The proposal for the site at Gibraltar Corner demonstrates a well located, high quality residential development, representing accessible suitable residential provision for anyone working in Bedford or Kempston. It will also provide ease of access to Bedford and Kempston Train Station’s, by cycling, which in turn will enable ease of commute to Cambridge and Oxford. It is strongly recommended that development sites with ease of access to Kempston and Bedford Railway Stations are allocated to form a large proportion of the growth within the emerging Local Plan.

No. However, we fully agree that it is critical that appropriate support is given to Bedford Town Centre to allow it to continue to thrive and provide the urban hub of the Borough. It is important that a large proportion of growth is allocated from sites in close proximity to Bedford Town Centre.