Issues and Options

No

Whilst we acknowledge the need for an early review of Local Plan 2030 following the Inspectors recommendation, there appears to be a number of uncertainties and unresolved matters which could significantly impact upon the level of growth required in the Borough, in particular (i) how the level of growth associated with the Oxford to Cambridge Arc is to be distributed; (ii) the Government’s figures for affordability (due to published in March 2021); and (iii) the review of the standard methodology to resolve the housing requirement. We are concerned that these unresolved matters could have a significant impact on the direction of the new Local Plan in particular on the housing figures required for the new Local Plan period. Should any significant changes arise this could have an impact on the Local Plan strategy and in particular the locations for growth. We would not wish for a scenario whereupon an agreed strategy for growth is resolved only to be altered later in the preparation of the Local Plan which could have an impact on Rural Service Centre such as Carlton which has already been allocated a level of growth within a recently adopted Neighbourhood Plan. The existing Local Plan 2030 provides a significant number of generic policies which do not distinguish between urban and rural settings. Within the Parish, we have seen developments come forward where standards are more applicable to urban environments and this has been to the detriment to the character and form of the settlement. In light of this, the Parish consider that the Local Plan Review should acknowledge this by providing advice either through policy or supplementary planning guidance in defining what constitutes ‘urban’ and ‘rural’ development. There is significant growth for the Borough and any allocations for new development either for housing or employment should include new policies for appropriate infrastructure to be in place to support the proposals, Currently, Bedford Borough only has the A6 as a major road serving the north of the Borough, it’s entry into Bedford is already a pinch point and is not adequate to address traffic generated from new developments to Bedford railway station. Finally on this section, we would strongly emphasise the need for new development sites to address the resulting impact on infrastructure, education & medical provision as well as green infrastructure including green spaces and access to the countryside.

Given the current unprecedented circumstances, we consider that the Vision should be altered to reflect the impact of the pandemic in regard to planning for new homes and addressing changes to working patterns. It is apparent that we need to build more resilient and healthy homes and neighbourhoods as a necessity, providing spacious, adaptable houses, walkable neighbourhoods and access to green space given the development context. We consider that the Vision should look to address this since this is a more pressing priority. In addition to the above, the Vision should make avoiding areas of high flood risk as a priority. Flooding is expected to increase in the future due to the increasing effects of climate change and whilst climate change is referred to within the Vision, we consider that the matter of flooding should be more explicitly detailed within the Vision statement since this is ever increasing issue within our Parish and the Borough as a whole. The Vision excludes any mention of improved road infrastructure in the north of the Borough, any development sites which come forward in the plan period need to address the lack of infrastructure in this area. We are concerned that if sites are brought forward through the new Local Plan in this part of the Borough without investment in road infrastructure this will result in villages such as Carlton increasingly being used as ‘rat-runs’ for those traveling to the surrounding towns, a scenario, that the Parish Council would wish to avoid. Finally, the Vision acknowledges that rural communities will embrace sensitive development through neighbourhood plans that provide and support much needed housing and employment. This may, however, go against the main thrust of the Vision of creating a greener and more sustainable place to live given the greater reliance of cars in rural settlements as a result of the limited bus services available in villages such as Carlton.

I agree with this plan period

As detailed under our response to Question 1, there are number of uncertainties and unresolved matters which could impact on the level of growth required in the Borough, in particular (i) how the level of growth associated with the Oxford to Cambridge Arc is to be distributed; (ii) the Government’s figures for affordability (due to published in March 2021); and (iii) the review of the standard methodology to resolve the housing requirement. Within the Issues and Options document, it is acknowledged that during the course of the plan preparation the housing figures may change. Furthermore, it is very likely that the impact of Covid-19 may cause further delay in resolving the final figures for the Borough. However, the pressure to have a up to date plan has been increased with the government’s recent announcement in the ‘Planning for the Future’ policy paper which stated that all local planning authorities will soon be required to have up-to-date local plans, with interventions being triggered if the new requirements are not met. We would suggest given the current circumstances, the plan period should be 2020 to 2040 since it is difficult to qualify a longer plan period at this point in time.

Yellow – A421 based growth , Red – New settlement based growth

Having reviewed the potential locations for growth, the Parish Council consider that the most appropriate way forward is to combine the following:- • Yellow – A421 based growth; and • Red – New settlement based growth at Wixams and Wyboston. The reasoning for the above preferred approach was due to the commitments in place for transport improvements together with the East/West Rail route, we consider that this presents the most suitable location for growth which can be facilitated with the appropriate infrastructure. To confirm, the Parish Council are opposed to any new settlements or indeed any increase in numbers and expansion of villages including Carlton in the north of the Borough. To reaffirm, there is no suitable infrastructure in place to cope with the level of growth required and furthermore, this would be to the detriment to existing communities and is unlikely to be achieved given the dispersed approach.

We consider that the most critical infrastructure which needs to be incorporated within new developments are:- • Roads; • Education provision; • Health Facilities; and • Designated Cycle and Pedestrian Routes. In addition to the above, we consider that all developments (both housing and employment) should look to enhance sustainability measures and look to address the issue of climate changes by introducing ECV points as a matter of course as well as exploring the wider use of renewable solutions including solar and wind.

Given the current economic climate and the resulting impact of Covid-19, this will clearly affect investment and opportunities in the employment sector. We consider that in the first instance that opportunities should be explored within the town centre especially given their changing nature and role. In addition, new employment sites should be located next to major road infrastructure primarily along the A421 which will be supported by the Oxford-Cambridge Arc.

We consider that it is essential to secure a positive economy in the Borough that we should look build upon the existing and specialist sectors present in the Borough. The Issues and Options document referred to the use of the former airship sheds at Cardington which are now used for major movie productions for amongst others Warner Brothers and Disney. The Local Plan should look at ways and means to secure and enhance this specialist sector and we would refer to the approach taken in South Northamptonshire/Aylesbury drawing upon its specialist precision engineering/motorsport from the area’s heritage with the Silverstone Racing Circuit. This has not only resulted in specialist companies developing in the area including the designation of an Enterprise Zone but also developing links with education with the establishment of the Silverstone University Technical College. The UTC specialises in High Performance Engineering and Business & Technical Events Management for 14- to 19-year-olds. We consider that a similar approach could be developed for the movie and media industry at Cardington. In addition, the attributes of Colworth Park could also be developed further to enhance the research and development activities at this location. The borough is also a focus of the national logistics industry, strategically placed for nationwide coverage and with good access to a working population. This sector should be supported and enhanced through the objectives of the Local Plan. We would conclude on this question by stating that a key objective for the new Local Plan should be to ensure that Bedford does not become a large dormitory for the high skill workforce commuting outside of the Borough, we should be seeking to ensure that residents both work and reside within the Borough.

We consider that the Borough Council have a significant role to secure the future of the town centre whether through business support, car parking, planning policy strategies or development management decisions. The Council must take a positive and pro-active planning strategies to ensure centres can both evolve and attract new investment and through support for independent businesses. With the closure of household names in the town centre this leaves sizeable retail space vacant which leads to unattractive environments and little incentive for visits. In addition, as detailed in the Issues and Options document there is the challenging competition from regional and out of town shopping centres must notably Milton Keynes and Rushden Lakes. In order to respond effectively to town centre decline and rapid change in shopping habits, planning policies must respond positively to bring about alternative uses and enhance existing features including the Embankment, Bedford Park, the theatres and enhancing the heritage and historic features of the town centre.

I agree

Yes, the Parish Council agrees that more guidance should be prepared by the Council to guide developers to assist in responding to the climate change. We consider that the use of solar panels should be introduced wherever possible, we acknowledge that this may not be appropriate in more sensitive and historic locations. In addition, more stringent measures should be in place that greywater recycling is used in the new developments together with ensuring that more sustainable materials are used in the construction of buildings. The Parish Council would like to see more passive housing schemes in the Borough such as the Mill Road development in the Parish of Sharnbrook and consider this should be sought more rigorously within the new Local Plan and guidance to be issued to developers.

In addition to the points raised in regard to question 9 and in order to address the challenges of the climate change, we consider that more should be enforced upon developers to address sustainability in the design of developments in order to reduce the carbon footprint.