Local Plan 2040 Draft Plan - Strategy options and draft policies consultation

Object

Representation ID: 7166

Received: 17/09/2021

Respondent: C Jackson & Sons (Bedford) LTD

Agent: Phillips Planning Services

None of the preferred strategy options allocate any growth in the north, including for employment purposes. Our client raises an objection on the basis that the plan is not giving proper consideration to supporting existing employment areas in the north of the Borough, not considering opportunities to support the expansion of those existing businesses. Our client’s site at Thurleigh could expand onto land (Site 715) adjacent to his existing employment site at Keysoe Road. As a large business and local employer, it was hope dthat the sites identification might come through either an allocation, or an altered policy framework setting out support for the growth of existing businesses.

Support

Representation ID: 7167

Received: 17/09/2021

Respondent: C Jackson & Sons (Bedford) LTD

Agent: Phillips Planning Services

Our client is promoting the Land at Keysoe Road, Thurleigh, through the Call For Sites Process, Site ID 715. This site is available for employment uses.

The site itself is located in an established commercial area adjacent to Thurleigh Airfield and the client’s a demolition and architectural salvage yard, meaning new employment uses can assimilate into the area without having a significant impact on the wider landscape.

This site offers the opportunity to expand the commercial uses in this part of the borough, creating employment opportunities for local people in this rural area.

Object

Representation ID: 7168

Received: 17/09/2021

Respondent: C Jackson & Sons (Bedford) LTD

Agent: Phillips Planning Services

We support the creation of a minimum of 8,642 net additional jobs up to 2040. However, the policy does not support the expansion of existing employment sites, and for the plan to be considered as “positively prepared”, we would welcome a more positive policy framework which supports the principle of the expansion of existing employment sites wherever they are in the Borough. A more positive policy context would then encourage proper investment in exploring these opportunities.