Issues and Options
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New searchThere are not considered to be any matters addressed in new Government guidance which is not adequately covered by existing policies or referenced within the Issues and Options Consultation document. Further matters may come to light upon publication of the first detailed draft of the Local Plan Review.
Dear Sir/Madam, Please find attached response form for the Issues & Options Consultation on behalf of the following landowners who are promoting opportunity sites in the Borough: • Mr. A. Sarro – Land East of Bedford Road, Ravensden • Mr D. Stewart - Bedford North Station Opportunity, Lower Farm Road, Bromham • Mr E F Wootton – Home Farm, Renhold Road, Ravensden (3 sites)
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.
The council’s acknowledgement that a combination of development strategy approaches may be required to achieve the anticipated scale of growth is welcomed. We support the strategy of facilitating a new parkway station to the north of Bedford. This will help to reduce the congestion problems in this part of the Borough and will improve sustainable transport links. The search corridor is currently very narrow but if the route were to be moved slightly further north, our client’s site at Lower Farm Road, Bromham would be a suitable location. This site has been submitted as part of the Call For Sites process and identified as a mixed use proposal for a parkway station and housing. We also support the strategy for growth along the route of the East-West railway. Some of our client’s sites are within this location and would be suitable for an allocation for residential development. These sites have been submitted as part of the Call For Sites process and comprise of the three sites at Home Farm, Ravensden and Land east of Bedford Road, Ravensden. Land North Of Home Farm can accommodate 30 dwellings, Land South Of Home Farm can accommodate up to 50 dwellings, and Land To The Rear Of Home Farm can accommodate up to 550 dwellings. The landowner is keen to facilitate self-build plots on these sites particularly on the smaller sites where these would be more suitable. The site east of Bedford Road, Ravensden, accessed via Oldways Road, can accommodate 70 dwellings comprising of market and affordable housing and the possibility of self-build plots. The development of these sites would contribute towards the ambitions of delivering development near to the future East-West rail line.
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.
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.
