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 and around Biggleswade in the local plan.
SO THE LOCAL PLAN IS TERRIBLE?
The local plan can be a good thing as it deters developers from submitting spurious applications to build on any land they like the look of. It can help to channel development to areas where infrastructure is either already in place or can be provided most easily. But the local plan is only a good thing if it’s well thought out.
SO WHAT WILL HAPPEN THIS WEEK?
This week there will be lots of legal arguments about whether the plan is valid before moving onto more detailed examination in the following weeks. The Inspector has already given CBC a huge list of questions to respond to, which they have mostly addressed. In the past the local plan was kicked out at this stage so it’s not unheard of. One of the main areas of concern is 10,000 homes in Tempsford that aren’t included in the numbers for the local plan but hidden in an appendix as an area CBC want earmarked depending upon the final route of the East-West Railway. The Inspector has also indicated there is an over reliance on strategic sites in the plan – such as the one in Biggleswade.
WHO WILL BE SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF BIGGLESWADE?
The detailed inspections where people can speak about the local plan for Biggleswade aren’t for a couple of weeks (June 14th is a big day) although there are quite a few sessions that touch on Biggleswade. As I’m only recently elected, and the deadline for people to apply to speak has passed, I can’t represent your views but I am still going to attend so that I can tell you what happens and support those that are representing you. The Town Council will be speaking and they have already indicated that they intend to support the development to the East, but not the North. Biggleswade Residents Alliance are also representing the town (they also have a great FB page). Members of the public can attend – details of the sessions can be found here.
As details emerge this week I will keep you updated but please join the Biggleswade Residents Alliance FB page too, as they will have lots of information for those of you that are interested.