Issues and Options
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New searchIt is considered that the Council is best placed to determine whether there is evidence that house building within the Borough is required to go beyond new national house building standards.
The provision and enhancement of pedestrian and cycle routes to local facilities and accessibility to public transport are considered to be ways which can encourage the greater use of sustainable modes of transport through the Local Plan.
It is not considered that existing planning polices fail to cover important national or local issues on the protection and enhancement of the natural environment.
This form is submitted on behalf of the 13 landowners who are promoting large sites in the Borough. The 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.
On behalf of the identified client’s, we advise they would support the Dispersed Growth option which allows growth to be distributed proportionally throughout the Borough. It is recognised that the majority of development will still be focused around Bedford but growth could also be allocated proportionally in other settlements. This will ensure that no particular area will be overburdened with development whilst enabling the benefits of development to be shared throughout the Borough. This will help to increase and maintain the vitality of settlements in the rural area. We disagree that this strategy would not facilitate employment growth provided this is directed to the most appropriate locations. This would also provide new rural employment opportunities and facilitate the expansion of existing sites. The majority of new infrastructure will be focussed in and around Bedford but a proportional amount can be accommodated in the rural areas so those communities can also benefit. Under the dispersed growth strategy, a proportional number of larger sites should be allocated in suitable locations in the rural area which are or can be made sustainable, and are well related to an existing settlement. Larger sites can contribute towards enhancing or providing new infrastructure such as schools, community facilities, and open space, as well as increasing the vitality of existing settlements and their services. Larger sites can also provide a large amount of affordable housing. Where these sites are in more rural areas, larger sites can make a valuable contribution towards the significant undersupply of affordable housing in these areas. There is far less likely to be affordable housing in the rural area without new allocated development so affordability will continue to worsen unless a sufficient number of sites are allocated. The following larger sites are all in suitable locations for a housing allocation: • Land North Of Chawston Lane, Chawston • Land North Of School Lane, Roxton • Land South Of School Lane, Roxton • Land At Riseley Primary School • Land Adjoining Box End House, Box End Road, Kempston Rural • Land Off New Road, Great Barford • Land at Cranfield Road, Wootton Green • Land South Of Bedford Road, Cople • Land At 66 Hall End Road, Wootton • Tinkers Corner, Wootton • The Chequers, Wootton • Land At Luton Road, Wilstead • Hookhams Lane, Renhold; • Land East Of Bedford Road / Oldways Raod, Ravensden, • Land East Of Church Road, Chapel End, Colmworth; • Land West Of Church Road, Chapel End, Colmworth • Shrubbery Farm, Wilden • Land South Of Home Farm, Renhold • Land Rear Of Home Farm, Renhold; • Land At Top Farm (Incorporating Chawston Lake & Morris Walk) • Land To The West Of Heddings Farm, Wyboston
Infrastructure including education, health, transport, community facilities and open space are considered key considerations in the delivery of growth in Bedford Borough. The allocation of larger sites can make a more substantial contribution towards much needed infrastructure.
It is considered that the location of new employment sites should correspond to the development strategy, ensuring that they are in accessible locations and well associated to the locations of growth.
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.
