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

Object

Representation ID: 8477

Received: 02/09/2021

Respondent: Wates Developments

Agent: JLL

In relation to residential delivery targets, the draft plan identifies that 1,275 dwelling
completions a year are required (a 33% increase on the current adopted plan), for the life of
the plan, up to 2040 (para 3.1).
This figure will need to be kept under review and it is likely the specific strategic
development context of the Borough within the Oxford -Cambridge Arc, this figure will need
to be significantly exceeded.
As noted in the consultation draft Local Plan, the first public consultation by the Government
on the Arc Spatial Framework was planned for summer 2021 which is two years later than
initially anticipated. The Government has now begun this consultation on the Oxford
Cambridge Arc vision, which commenced in July 2021 and which runs until mid-October
2021. The consultation document sets out that that the Spatial Framework Issues and
Bedford Borough Council
Planning Policy Team
Borough Hall,
Cauldwell Street,
Bedford,
MK42 9AP
Our ref Wates/Wixams
Direct line 07922582704
Email tom.lambshead@eu.jll.com
2
Options report will not be published until Spring 2022 with a likely completion at the end of
2022 or in 2023.
It is recognised that this is challenging for the Council as the growth requirements and other
impacts associated with the Arc are currently unknown. Nevertheless, there will no doubt be
a requirement for significant additional growth in the borough and the housing and
employment land requirements are likely to increase significantly. The Local Plan should
plan for a significantly higher housing number as a result (paragraph 3.1 -3.17 inclusive).

Object

Representation ID: 8478

Received: 02/09/2021

Respondent: Wates Developments

Agent: JLL

In terms of the Council’s consultation, four development options are considered in the
consultation draft Local Plan which can be summarised as follows:
 2a - Development in and around the urban area, plus A421 transport corridor with rail
based growth parishes and southern parishes.
 2b - Development in and around the urban area, plus A421 transport corridor with rail
based growth parishes and southern parishes, plus one new settlement.
 2c - Development in and around the urban area, plus A421 transport corridor with rail
based growth parishes, plus two new settlements.
 2d - Development in and around the urban area, plus A421 transport corridor with rail
based growth parishes, southern parishes and east parishes, plus one new settlement.
All of the options propose scenarios which deliver 12,500 new residential units although it is
noted options 2b and 2d suggest a potential range and could deliver up to 13,085 units
(paragraph 3.17, page 20-23 inclusive).