Detail of the Parish Council objection to development of the Land South of Lower Stondon West of Bedford Road Lower Stondon for up to 115 dwellings with means of access only. Stondon Parish Council at it’s meeting of the 29 July objected to this application.
This is a copy of the objection submitted
This application can be viewed at http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/planning-register by entering the application reference 20/02334 (this link should take you to the application). Please provide any comments by no later than 20 August 2020
The proposer seeks to provide a development of 115 new homes. The scheme is adjacent to the Mulberry and Barrett developments. Rainer are proposing that the scheme is supported by a series of technical and environmental studies and could provide opportunities for traffic calming along with landscaping and enhancements to biodiversity.
The key points to our objection are listed below
- The proposed development is outside settlement boundaries and does not represent a sustainable form of development. It is therefore unacceptable in principle.
- The Council has more than the required five year housing land supply. Policies relating to the supply of housing land are up-to-date and relevant.
- The proposed vehicular access on to the A600 would give rise to hazardous highway conditions, particularly when the cumulative impact of nearby large housing developments is considered.
- Owing to the topography and natural vegetation, the proposal would be unduly prominent in the wider landscape setting and harmful to the rural character of the area. Sensitive integration into the existing settlement can not be achieved owing to the watercourse and natural topography which means that new development, of necessity, must be located further south and more remote from the existing settlement. The proposal would therefore be harmful to the rural character and appearance of the area.
- It could be at risk of flooding and increase the risk of flooding elsewhere.
- The services and facilities available in the village are very limited and residents of the proposed housing would need to travel by car to access education, employment, and all but very basic shopping.
- The land falls within the definition of ‘best and most versatile agricultural land’ and according to national planning policy.
- The proposal is contrary to national and local planning policies in several fundamental respects and it is therefore requested that planning permission be refused.
- Lack of engagement and detail on community gains, if the Planning Authority go against all the above reasoned arguments.