Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 Plan for Submission

Support

Representation ID: 10099

Received: 28/07/2022

Respondent: Canal & River Trust

Thank you for your consultation.
We are the charity who look after and bring to life 2000 miles of canals & rivers. Our waterways contribute to the
health and wellbeing of local communities and economies, creating attractive and connected places to live, work, volunteer and spend leisure time. These historic, natural and cultural assets form part of the strategic and local green-blue infrastructure network, linking urban and rural communities as well as habitats. By caring for our waterways and promoting their use we believe we can improve the wellbeing of our nation. The Trust is a statutory consultee in the Development Management process.
Based on the information available we have the following comments to make:
One of the Canal & River Trust’s charitable objects is to promote, facilitate, undertake, and assist in for public
benefit, the restoration and improvement of inland waterways. We are, therefore, generally supportive of any
sustainable project seeking to expand or support the country’s inland waterway network. As well as being an
interested party, in light of our charitable objective, the Trust is also a member of the Bedford & Milton Keynes
Waterway partnership and strongly supports the proposed Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Park which is being promoted by the B&MK Waterway Trust.
It is therefore encouraging to note that the B&MK Waterway Park is recognised as a strategic scale
environmental project, and provision of the Waterways Park is included as an integral part of the vision and
objectives for the Local Plan.
It is also positive to note that proposed site allocations along the safeguarded route are required to deliver
relevant sections of the B&MKWP. We would suggest that every opportunity is taken to ensure that the future
development alongside the new water space positively addresses and integrates the water and, by providing
appropriate facilities, opens up access to it for all. The route of the waterway also provides opportunities to
establish a network of sustainable off-road walking and cycling routes and linkages to other local facilities,
providing additional opportunities for differing types of recreation as well as improving the health and well-being
of future residents.
There should be direct consultation with B&MK Waterway Trust on any policies or proposals, particularly with
regard to the technical details of any sections of the waterway to be delivered. Applicants/developers should
also be required to clearly set out the future ownership and management regimes and responsibilities for any
new sections of waterway. The Canal & River Trust will continue to liaise with the B&MK Waterway Trust to ensure that our requirements, with regards to water resources, for the proposed future connection to the Grand Union Canal are clear.