Plan for submission evidence base

Object

Representation ID: 9523

Received: 27/07/2022

Respondent: Clarendon Land and Development Ltd

Agent: Fisher German LLP

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

Reference Site 590 Willington.
This representation has been prepared on behalf of Clarendon Land & Development in respect of
their land interests at Barford Road, Willington as illustrated on Figure 1 below. This site is an
omission site in the emerging Bedford Local Plan 2040. The site is suitable for allocation in the
scenario that further housing sites are required to enable the Local Plan to be found sound (as we
consider to be the case and as set out within these representations). (Map included in original)
Figure 1: Site Location and Illustrative Masterplan
1.2 The Barford Road site is located to the southern edge of Willington. The adopted Bedford Local
Plan identifies Willington as one of Bedford’s 8 ‘Rural Service Centres’ which are acknowledged to
be sustainable settlements and have previously been identified through the Council’s own
evidence as being able to accommodate up to 150 new dwellings.
1.3 Willington is located just 4km east of Bedford. The site is located off Barford Road. The existing
facilities and services in Willington are within walking distance of the site. The site also benefits from nearby bus stops on Sandy Road, Bedford Road, and Station Road which afford regular
access to Bedford and Biggleswade, with half hourly services running throughout the day,
providing quick and convenient access to larger centres for commuting, education and social
purposes.
1.4 This representation follows policies in the order that they appear in the consultation document.
The Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment and Site Assessment Topic Paper (May 2022) includes the Council’s assessments of the sites submitted for consideration throughout this Local Plan process.
3.2 A copy of the assessment for Barford Road, Willington is provided below, with our suggested amended assessment where relevant which is based on site specific technical assessments that have been carried out.
3.3 With the above in mind, it is clear that Land at Barford Road, Willington is better suited to come forward for residential development than actually assessed by the Council. Copies of the available technical information have been provided with previous representations demonstrating the site’s deliverability.