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

The first point we wish to make applies to the plans depicting the growth strategy options. It is not clear that Stewartby Parish features as one of the rail based growth parishes (shown with a pink notation). It is described in the text as being part of the growth area but if the location of Stewartby station is correctly shown, the parish boundary is not included. Please could this be checked and rectified.

It may also be helpful to illustrate the potentially re-located railways stations along East West Rail and not just the one near to St Neots. This applies to Stewartby and Kempston Hardwick. As the Local Plan evolves, the East West Rail strategy is likely to clarify.

O&H are supportive of high levels of growth in this sustainable location. They are also supportive of a new settlement strategy where sustainability can be demonstrated through excellent public transport links. They would caution against over-reliance on a new settlement strategy in the medium term and consider that this should be balanced by bringing forward smaller sites in the shorter term on sites that are readily deliverable. With this in mind, O&H would favour growth options 2a or 2d over 2b or 2c.

O&H Land support the principle of growth centred around the stations on East West Rail and the A421 Corridor. The Council's Local Plan preparation timetable should allow for East West Rail Co. to clarify their station strategy before finalising a land use allocation strategy. This is imperative to ensure that the most sustainable sites are allocated for growth. O&H's land at Randalls Farm (BBC ID 905) is one such site and has the potential to be brought forward for a higher density mixed use scheme associated with a new stopping station.

O&H Land supports the Council's approach to the creation of new business parks and confirms that their freehold land at CP Farm (BBC Site ID: 1050) is available and at 48 hectares (gross site area) could deliver the 30 ha of developable land as well as meeting environmental policy requirements such as on-site contribution to the Forest of Marston Vale as well as environmental net gain.