Issues and Options

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. Furthermore, the plan period exceeds that of the Neighbourhood Plans currently going through the process and so it needs to facilitate growth in the rural area for when these plans come to end.

I agree with this plan period

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.

Grey– Dispersed growth

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. We agree that the majority of development will still be focused around Bedford but growth will 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. Our clients are promoting several suitable sites through Neighbourhood Plans, and our client’s will continue to focus and engage in this process as directed by the individual parishes. However, as the Plan period exceeds that of the Neighbourhood Plans, these sites have also been submitted in parallel through the Local Plan “Call For Sites” process. These sites are all in sustainable locations which are well related to the existing settlements and are suitable for allocations, either now through the Neighbourhood Plans, or if not identified, they could come forward at a later stage in the new Local Plan. These sites are: • Land South Of Keeley Lane, Wootton • Tinkers Corner, Keeley Lane, Wootton • The Chequers Public House, Hall End Road, Wootton • Land East Of Bedford Road / Oldways Road, Ravensden

Infrastructure including education, health, transport, community facilities and open space are considered key considerations in the delivery of growth in Bedford Borough.

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.

I agree

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.

It 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.