Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 Plan for Submission

Comment

Representation ID: 9871

Received: 28/07/2022

Respondent: Damm Brewery (UK) Limited

Agent: Sphere25

The 2030 Local Plan
The 2030 Local Plan does not rely on any housing contribution from the Eagle Brewery site in the plan period (to 2030). The Local Plan also clarifies that the development brief for the Policy 12 area must:
“…demonstrate how the early phases of development can coexist alongside the Brewery ”

This is entirely consistent with NPPF paragraphs 187 and 188. The Eagle Brewery site has operated as a Brewery since it opened in 1976. Therefore, new development in the vicinity of the Eagle Brewery should be required to provide suitable mitigation in accordance with the NPPF ‘agent of change’ principle.

The 2040 Local Plan
The emerging 2040 Local Plan refers to land between the railway line and the Eagle Brewery Site as being an existing allocation intended to be saved in the new local plan. However the Policy 12 allocation covers a wider area.

As worded paragraphs 4.39 and 4.40 are unclear as to how the policy will recognise the existing and established use of the brewery site beyond 2030. This is therefore inconsistent with national policy as set out within paragraphs 187 and 188 of the NPPF.

Paragraph 81 of the NPPF sets out that planning policies should help create the conditions in which businesses can invest, expand and adapt. Significant weight should be placed on the need to support economic growth and productivity, taking into account both local business needs and wider opportunities for development.

Damm Brewery (UK) Limited are committed to the existing Eagle Brewery site in Bedford being central to their internationalisation strategy, becoming a flagship facility in the United Kingdom and providing one of the most versatile production facilities in the country. Damm are committed to investing in this established and existing employment site, preserving and creating additional high quality jobs in the local economy and wider supply chain.

It is uncertain as currently worded the policy intention for the Brewery site and therefore as written this does not meet the test of soundness with regard to consistency with national planning policy.

It is important to note that due to the site’s location within Flood Zones 2 and 3 the site would be unsuitable for more vulnerable uses in future. However, the continued use of the site for less vulnerable employment uses coupled with investment to ensure flood resilience is incorporated into upgrades to the building are entirely suitable in this location.
Suggested wording is included below.

Comment

Representation ID: 9872

Received: 28/07/2022

Respondent: Damm Brewery (UK) Limited

Agent: Sphere25

The 2030 Local Plan
The 2030 Local Plan does not rely on any housing contribution from the Eagle Brewery site in the plan period (to 2030). The Local Plan also clarifies that the development brief for the Policy 12 area must:
“…demonstrate how the early phases of development can coexist alongside the Brewery ”

This is entirely consistent with NPPF paragraphs 187 and 188. The Eagle Brewery site has operated as a Brewery since it opened in 1976. Therefore, new development in the vicinity of the Eagle Brewery should be required to provide suitable mitigation in accordance with the NPPF ‘agent of change’ principle.

The 2040 Local Plan
The emerging 2040 Local Plan refers to land between the railway line and the Eagle Brewery Site as being an existing allocation intended to be saved in the new local plan. However the Policy 12 allocation covers a wider area.

As worded paragraphs 4.39 and 4.40 are unclear as to how the policy will recognise the existing and established use of the brewery site beyond 2030. This is therefore inconsistent with national policy as set out within paragraphs 187 and 188 of the NPPF.

Paragraph 81 of the NPPF sets out that planning policies should help create the conditions in which businesses can invest, expand and adapt. Significant weight should be placed on the need to support economic growth and productivity, taking into account both local business needs and wider opportunities for development.

Damm Brewery (UK) Limited are committed to the existing Eagle Brewery site in Bedford being central to their internationalisation strategy, becoming a flagship facility in the United Kingdom and providing one of the most versatile production facilities in the country. Damm are committed to investing in this established and existing employment site, preserving and creating additional high quality jobs in the local economy and wider supply chain.

It is uncertain as currently worded the policy intention for the Brewery site and therefore as written this does not meet the test of soundness with regard to consistency with national planning policy.

It is important to note that due to the site’s location within Flood Zones 2 and 3 the site would be unsuitable for more vulnerable uses in future. However, the continued use of the site for less vulnerable employment uses coupled with investment to ensure flood resilience is incorporated into upgrades to the building are entirely suitable in this location.