CPRE Bedfordshire is very concerned with the draft Bedford Borough Council Local Plan 2032 for the following reasons:

The Plan is very urban centric. It fails to recognise the 'intrinsic value' of the countryside and does not explain how BBC intends to protect and enhance the countryside over the plan period.

CPRE Bedfordshire does not agree with the proposed 17,700 new homes that BBC believes should be built in the period up to 2032. This would mean an increase of 900 homes in Clapham (doubling its size), 500 additional homes in Bromham and 500 in Great Barford together with further very significant numbers right across the north Bedfordshire villages. CPRE Bedfordshire recognises the need for new homes and is largely supportive of BBC’s currently local plan but we consider these highly inflated numbers to be both unjustified and unsustainable.

The proposed number of new homes far exceeds the needs of local people with around 40% of the new homes due to inward migration from the rest of the UK. Much of this is overspill from London, the GLA and surrounding counties. CPRE Bedfordshire believes that London and the GLA should make more effort to build affordable homes in its own area before looking to build on Bedfordshire’s precious countryside.

We believe that the draft local plan is unsustainable – here’s why:

• Building huge numbers of new homes for people moving out of London and commuting back as well as commuting to nearer destinations will make congestion on already overcrowded commuter trains and the principal road and motorway networks unbearable.
• The local rural and urban road networks are already seriously overcrowded at peak times and falling into disrepair. New roads being built e.g. western by-pass A6 link, will provide a short term improvement at best.
• This area of eastern England has very serious problems in supplying the water requirements of current residents let alone the increase proposed by these inflated housing numbers.
• People moving into the borough from London will only push house prices higher for local people.
• The vast majority of the new house building in Bedford Borough Council’s Local Plan 2032 is planned to take place on open countryside. If this plan goes ahead the quality of life for present and future generations will be irreversibly damaged.
• That’s without considering the impact on hospitals, schools and other infrastructure.

A PDF copy of our complete response to the Local Plan 2032 consultation can be downloaded below.