Development & Infrastructure Central Bedfordshire Council Priory House

Development & Infrastructure Central Bedfordshire Council Priory House Monks Walk Chicksands SHEFFORD SG17 5TQ

Date: 3rd August 2020

RE: Local Plan updates

Thank you for the information on the Local Plan and revisions. I stand by my original submissions but have the following points to add.

Site HAS08 Land to the South East of Greenway Campton. The published size of the site in the Medium and Small sites in table 7.8 indicates a size of .47 hectares which seems small to have 66 houses built on it. If the site has been reduced to .47 I welcome this and propose that 20 to 23 houses would be more in keeping with a site of this size and location.

In addition, I understood that this development was planned to mirror the other side of Greenway and that it would not be an estate development. The proposal sent around by the developer has been deliberately designed to allow additional developments in the future. These would be totally out of keeping with the village size and character as well as creating more issues with traffic, schooling and healthcare.

A507 The technical report clearly identifies the issues and problems associated with the A507 particularly the area around Shefford and onwards to the A1M and also toward the M1. I do not feel the proposed road improvement at the Airman Public House will improve the situation, particularly with the increased traffic from Shefford, Stondon and Meppershall. The additional developments in progress, or proposed, along this corridor are way beyond the capacity for the existing road.

As a resident, I and others already struggle trying to turn in or out of Greenway at any time of the day. The addition of another 100 or more cars will only make this situation far worse and lead to chances being taken resulting in accidents.

RAF Henlow I am concerned that the removal of the industrial area proposed for the site in favour of increased housing will lead to further congestion on the A507. They also question the need for the development on Greenway if there is to be increased housing on the Henlow site particularly as part of the site is located in Area D (see next point).

Housing numbers for AREA D The apparent inconsistent figures provided in the documents for housing in Area D seem somewhat confusing. I would also like to draw attention to the statements made in several parts of the reports about preserving the nature of Area D.

Environmental In addition, following the changes to business operations caused by Covid 19, there will be many offices that will not be viable and could be turned into dwellings. This would be a better use of existing resources, and avoid empty office space in the area, rather than building on green field sites which are becoming very rare in the area. It would also improve trade in the town and keep those businesses remaining viable.

The loss of green field sites in Shefford, Meppershall, Stotfold, Arlesey, Henlow and in both directions along the A507 will lead to a serious decline in the natural ecosystem and habitat. There are red kites much in evidence on the land adjacent to Greenway but the loss of habitat for them and other wildlife will inevitably lead to their decline.

Campton is the only village not to have been destroyed by mass developments and even the existing plans are way out of scope for the existing size of the village. The health centre at Shefford is refusing to accept new patients and yet there are no alternatives or allowance for either health, community or education in the proposals.