Consultation over controversial Biggleswade housing project as plans scaled back
A fiercely opposed housing project in Biggleswade is set to be scaled back with 353 homes, instead of the 416 approved on appeal.
Housebuilder Persimmon Homes is set to deliver the scheme on 43 acres of land north of Furzenhall Road.
The company hopes to submit a detailed planning application to Central Bedfordshire Council next month.
Before then, a public consultation event is due to be held at the Orchard Centre, off Erlensee Way, from 3pm to 7pm on Thursday (June 25).
Other aspects of applicant Hallam Land Management’s original proposals are a community orchard, allotments, public open space and a children’s play area, as well as new roads, parking, cycleways and footways.
This scheme has outline planning permission already, despite it being refused by CBC’s development management committee, the Central Bedfordshire Community Network councillor Hayley Whitaker said in a social media post.
“A government inspector approved this on appeal. The final stage of planning contains the detail, deciding what the housing would look like, and where the roads and parks will be located.
“CBC can refuse the full plans if these details aren’t considered good enough. But the application would be improved and brought back to the committee.”
The positives are the homes bordering the current estate on the southern edge will all be bungalows, of which a real shortage exists locally, councillor Whitaker wrote on Facebook.
Only 353 properties are proposed, rather than the 416 contained within the outline permission because of land constraints, she added. Fewer houses will be built to comply with ten per cent biodiversity requirements on the site.
Councillor Whitaker wants to see a new access road from the Kings Reach roundabout built first, before any construction traffic is allowed on site to keep vehicles away from the Potton Road and Furzenhall Road junction. Failing that, deliveries could be restricted to avoid the start and end of the school day.
“Part of the site could be used as an orchard or community garden that could link up with the Biggleswade Community Garden in Northfields. There are ten highways schemes associated with this scheme and these are crucial.
“There’s no inspiration in their (estate) design from the railway, the countryside or from Biggleswade itself. But there’s still time to make improvements.”
Town councillor Andy Skilton warned on social media: “Our focus now should be on mitigating the negatives as much as possible and ensuring we secure the maximum benefit for the town.
“It’s very disappointing that residents have been given such short notice of the consultation event, and that it’s being held so far away from the proposed site. I’m concerned some residents will be unable to get to the King’s Reach estate venue.
“I’ve written to Persimmon asking the company to hold an additional event at Northfields Community Centre, or to use a gazebo or marquee somewhere closer to the development.
“The informal access to Jubilee Recreation Ground along the field boundary, a valuable walking and cycling route for school children, appears to be lost.
“I’m also unclear whether the plans create a through route to the King’s Reach roundabout, which could be a disaster for Furzenhall Road and the Bloor estate by creating a rat run to avoid Potton Road.”