A planning application has been received by CBC for Baystrait House, the brown brick building outside the railway station, for its conversion into residential flats. This is a huge disappointment to the businesses using this prime office space, that is at a premium in Biggleswade. Details of the application can be found in the CBC planning portal using reference CB/19/01600/PADO.  Sadly, a previous set of outline applications have received prior approval under permitted development, despite 11 objections from residents (CB/16/05089/PADO, CB/16/05095/PADO, CB/16/05103/PADO). This is because it is permitted by government. Recently Luton Council revoked this permission and it would be great to see the same for Biggleswade. Objections can still be…

This week the detailed examination of the local plan by the Planning Inspector kicks off at Chicksands – what does it mean for Biggleswade? WHAT IS THE LOCAL PLAN?The government has set a target for the number of new homes needed across Central Beds and the local plan seeks to provide a blueprint for where those homes should go and ensures consideration has been given to sustainability and infrastructure. Once a piece of land has been earmarked for development in the local plan its much harder to object to planning applications successfully. Biggleswade has been identified as a ‘strategic site’ and space for around 5000 homes has been identified in…

When a town like Biggleswade needs money for infrastructure it often looks to promote new development in order to foot the bill. All new builds are subject to a Section 106 levy (often shortened to S106). These funds are paid by the developer to the council to fund any works required to local infrastructure as a result of the new homes. This can include schools, doctors, playing fields, roads cemetery and allotment improvements, leisure facilities…almost anything in the community that’s a ‘capital project’ – so new or improved buildings or facilities. WHAT COMES FIRST, THE BUILDING OR THE INFRASTRUCTURE? For most large planning applications there will be a milestone that…

ANOTHER PLANNING APPLICATION FOR 412 HOUSES FOR BIGGLESWADE CBC has yet another application for up to 412 homes to the north of Biggleswade going through its planning process. Although seemingly ‘greener’ than most, with the provision of allotments next to the railway line, there has been no consideration for infrastructure –  doctors, dentists, schools, roads and parking that are already groaning under the weight of existing demand. The applicants openly admit this proposal would sit on prime arable farming land, part of the beautiful countryside which we are rapidly losing from all around us. This application has been prepared in light of the Central Beds local plan – which has…