Plan for submission evidence base

Comment

Representation ID: 9237

Received: 30/06/2022

Respondent: Clerk to Hail Weston Parish Council

Hail Weston Parish Council (HWPC) resolved at their general parish meeting held on 21 June 2022 ‘objection’ in relation to the proposed development known as ‘Eaton Bank’ land north of Bushmead Road, submitted in response to Bedford Borough Council’s (BBC) ‘Call for Sites’.
Hail Weston Parish Council has previously objected twice to the BBC ‘Call for Sites’ and copied Huntingdon District Council (HDC) in relation to proposed developments at Cottage Farm, Upper Staploe, Flints Field and Top Homes.
The Hail Weston Parish Council supports and agrees with the assessment that “the site has been excluded from further assessment at Stage 1 because its location is not in accordance with the development strategy” This statement is in keeping with the objections originally raised by HWPC urging both Bedford Borough Council and Huntingdonshire District Council to discount this area of development due to it being a non-suitable location.
Objection: Our Community Plan for 2016-2021, which had a 71% household response rate, shows that:
A large majority (92%) of respondents disagree with the statement that Hail Weston should grow considerably, including 68% who disagree strongly stating the value of living in a rural location. Residents would least like to see the village being developed eastwards towards St Neots or towards any other nearby settlements.
At recent parish meetings, which have been well attended, members of the public have spoken up against the proposal to develop this site, concerns were raised about: High-quality agricultural land being developed for more housing, lack of community influence over the density, and the number of houses that could be built if the land in question was sold for housing development, lack of public engagement, lack of services and infrastructure in the surrounding area, increased motor vehicles on B645 and that whilst developments to upgrade the Black Cat roundabout, A428 upgrade and East-West railway. Hail Weston Parish Council believes these will not directly benefit this development furthermore Hail Weston Parish Council believes the biggest impact will be seen on local infrastructure and highways and services.